Welcome to week ten of Fenrir’s 12 Week Plan! You’re 3/4th of the way there. You and your dog have been working hard the last nine weeks, so this week we want you to focus on relaxing. That’s right. Relaxing is just as important as everything else we’ve been talking about during this challenge.
Daily life, training, and vet appointments can all be stressful. It’s important to remember that you need to take a moment during the day sometimes. Take a breath and unwind. If you don’t have a moment during the day, that’s okay. You can build relaxation into your nightly routine. It’ll help both you and your dog relax, and it will help settle them for the night.
We’ll also take a look at some ways you can help your dog calm down during the day. Afterall, we all need quiet time during waking hours and your dog is no exception. But, what does any of this have to do with this week’s topic?
Your dog probably associates certain objects with playtime or going out for a walk. Those are things that get them excited. This week we want you to ‘get naked’ and think about removing those objects when it's time to relax. It’ll help your dog switch gears from play to chill when it’s needed most. So, let’s get into it and see how you can help your dog relax.
Your Routine
Everyone has a routine. Some of us have a very strict routine and some of us are more loose and go with the flow. We also all tend to have habits. We have things we do the same way no matter what. That’s just the way we like to do it. Take a moment and think about that in relation to your dog.
When do you find yourself taking their collar off? Many of us don’t make it a habit to take their collar off at all unless it’s bath time. We don’t want it to get wet and then it has to dry before they can wear it again. Do you take their collar off at any other time and does it signify anything?
Just like your dog gets excited when they see their harness or leash, you can use their collar in the same way. When they put their collar on, it’s time to do exciting things or get to work. When their collar is taken off, it’s time to relax and take a break.
Whether you regularly take your dog’s collar off or not, we’ve compiled a list below of some times that you might want to start implementing in your routine.
Whether you’re looking to settle in for the evening or just need a little bit of time to relax during the day, teaching your dog that removing their collar means it’s time to settle down can help lower energy levels.
Help Your Dog Relax
- Take off collar
- Take off harness
- Put away collar
- Put away toys
- Put away food dishes
- Put away harness and leash
Taking your dog’s collar off is just one thing you can do to help your dog switch gears from energetic to relaxed. Your dog often picks up on your evening routine before bed and will start to settle down when you’re ready to sleep. That isn’t always the case though and if you have a very short routine, they may not have a chance to settle.
By removing these items from the area, you remove sources of energy. Your dog will know that their harness and leash don’t come back out until the morning when it’s time for a walk. They can’t go grab a toy and get wound back up.
Now that you’ve removed any items that your dog may associate with physical activity or excitement, you need to place some items to help them get comfortable and settled in. You associate certain items with sleep such as pyjamas, slippers, blankets and your bed. Your dog should also have similar items that signal to them it’s time for bed. You can try items such as:
- Crate
- Dog bed
- Blankets
- White noise machine
- Thunder shirt
These items are meant to be comfortable and provide a nice space to settle down for the evening. Just like some of us, dogs can be light sleepers, so a white noise machine or fan can help drown out noises that would wake them and for those anxious pups, a thunder shirt can make them feel a little secure. Crates, blankets, and beds are great ways to provide your dog with a private and comfortable space. There’s also nothing wrong with letting your dog snuggle with a favourite toy as long as it isn’t one they love to play with.
Cosy Crate
If you’ve been crate training your dog, you know how important having their crate is. That’s their safe place. It’s a place for them to go when they need some quiet or a break from the world. It should be comfortable and welcoming. Especially when you have a dog that seeks out their crate very often.
You can drape a blanket overtop of it to make it more secluded and add their favourite dog bed or a blanket to the bottom. Whatever you need to do to make it more comfortable and welcoming for them. Just make sure your dog doesn’t like to chew on things like pillows or blankets before doing this.
Quiet Closet
This one is for the dogs out there that seek a dark, secluded room when they need a break. You can turn some closet space into a den for your dog. A dog that enjoys burrowing under blankets or hiding out under furniture may also enjoy this. You can pad the closet with pillows and blankets to make it comfortable and give them something to hide in.
This setup is also good for dogs that are afraid of things like fireworks. It will give them a safe place to hide. A lot of dogs try to hide under furniture and that can be dangerous. Things can get knocked over and they may get hurt. Giving them a space to safely run to will help prevent accidents. A white noise machine can also help in these instances as they can help drown out the noise causing distress.
Secluded Room
Just like with our other suggestions, make sure the space is comfy however your dog likes. This one can be good for dogs who are still crate training, but need a safe area where they can’t destroy the house or hurt themselves. It can also help those that like to patrol the windows and bark when they get stressed or left alone. For this you’ll want a room with no windows where you can put a baby gate up, such as a laundry room or perhaps a half bathroom. This way your dog can still see the rest of the house, but they aren’t right near any sort of action.
Pillow Fort
This one is just for some extra fun! Remember those little tents you would make out of pillows and sheets? Your dog may enjoy one as well. It’s enclosed and very comfortable. It can be fun to change things up from time to time and there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun while you relax.
Conclusion
We hope you found this week’s topic informative and could use it as a chance to reflect on your routine. It’s all too easy to get caught up in work and forget to take time for ourselves and our furry friends. You don’t have to make these changes all at once either! You can start small with just removing their collar in the evenings. This isn’t something to stress over. It’s an exercise in mindfulness.
Do you have a routine in place or are you looking to implement one? We’d love to hear all about it on social media, so make sure you come see us and share!