How to Train Your Dog to Be Calm

Hold a treat in your hand and lure your dog into a sit by raising it above their head. Keep your dog following your hand as you lower it to the ground until they are in a down position. Release the treat when your dog is in a down position.

When your dog is luring into a down reliably, add in a command word such as “down.” Say the command as you are luring your dog into the down position. Release the treat when your dog is on the floor. Repeat this step multiple times in numerous sessions.

When your dog is reliably lowering into a down with the treat, remove the lure and say the command only. If your dog lowers into a down, treat and praise immediately. If your dog hesitates, give him time to think about it and treat and praise if he ends up in a down. If your dog doesn’t perform the behavior, go back to step 2 and repeat numerous times.

While your dog is in a down, hold a treat in your hand and move it back towards their shoulder and away from their body. Watch your dog’s body. When your dog moves from a straight up and down, laying on top of their feet, to shifting their weight onto one of their hips, immediately praise and treat. This is the “settle” behavior.

Once your dog is reliably performing the behavior with the lure, add in the command word “settle.” Tell your dog "settle" as you lure them into the position with the food. Release and treat and repeat numerous times until your dog is able to settle on command without the lure.

In order to train your dog to be calm, you first have to get them excited. Try playing with a favorite toy, engaging in mild wrestling, or initiating a game of tug of war. Playing with a ball or frisbee in the back yard is another way to work your dog’s excitement level up in preparation.

After you have built up your dog’s initial excitement level, it’s time to engage in a game of red light, green light in energy level. Get your dog worked up, then stop and allow them to calm. Repeat this multiple times, petting your dog and stroking their ears gently until they begin to calm then rev them up again.

After you’ve prepped your dog and gotten them used to varying levels of calm and play, it’s time to demand complete calm. Work your dog’s excitement up then stop and remain completely still. Your dog may try to get your attention or keep attempting to play. Do not react in any way until they are completely calm. Treat and praise immediately then begin playing with your dog again, repeating the process.

After you’ve repeated the process multiple times and your dog is calming quickly when you remain still, it’s time to add a command. The next time you rev up your dog, when you go still add in a cue word. “Still” or “calm” are good choices here.

Repeat using the cue word and being still until your dog is readily stopping and waiting for you to engage in play again. Begin loosening your body language and use just the command word. Repeat this in multiple settings with different types of toys and over multiple days to reinforce the command and get your dog to calm.

Start out with a selection of treats. Get your dog’s attention and throw a treat onto their bed or spot you’ve designated as their “place.” The moment your dog’s feet touch their bed, praise and provide another small treat. Repeat this multiple times.

Once your dog is reliably going to their bed with the treat, add in an appropriate command word. “Bed”, “place” and “rest” are all great choices. Say the word then throw the treat and praise and reward for feet touching the bed.

After you have repeated the command and lure combo multiple times over several training sessions, remove the lure of throwing the treat. Say the command only and treat and praise if your dog goes to his space. If your dog does not go to their spot, go back a step and repeat.

Once your dog is going to their spot on command, start adding in a delay for the treat and praise reward. Let your dog wait on their spot expectantly for several seconds, working your way up to 15, 30, 60, and longer slowly and gradually. At the end of that time, treat and praise.

Once you’ve worked up to a significant period of time, reward your dog with praise and a chew appropriate treat. Kongs, bones and bully sticks are great options here. If your dog removes their treat from their space, take the treat away and repeat the “bed” or “space” command, slowly training your dog that remaining calm on their bed gains a reward.