Keeping Calm: Tips for Mastering Emotional Balance in Your Dog

The "Get a Grip" Hack

Emotional regulation is crucial for helping your dog manage big feelings, whether the excitement of meeting new dogs and people or the frustration of being on a leash. The "Get a Grip" Hack is a simple but effective approach to helping your dog learn to calm down in arousing situations.

Here is how it works:

1. Observe & Prevent: When your dog becomes over-aroused (e.g., pulling on the leash to greet another dog), prevent access to the desired object or activity until they’ve calmed down. This might mean moving them further away from the stimulus or simply waiting for them to regulate their emotions.

   
   

2. Capture & Reinforce: Once your dog shows signs of calming down—such as sitting, walking away, or even just taking a deep breath—reward them with praise or a clicker and allow them access to what they want. The key is to reinforce their ability to get a grip on their emotions.

   
   

3. Repeat as Needed: If your dog gets too excited again, repeat the process. Over time, your dog will learn that staying calm helps them achieve their goals more effectively.

   
   

This hack isn’t about teaching specific cues but about using everyday situations to help your dog develop a foundational skill for handling excitement and frustration. It’s a great way to build their ability to stay calm before facing more challenging situations.

Happy training, and remember - patience and consistency are key!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.