Basic Obedience: Day 9 of 56
This video and training session are part of the Grungehorsam concept, a structured program designed to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully designed from a didactic and methodological perspective to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one, thereby achieving maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you follow the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
Have you ever noticed your dog suddenly staring intently at something—whether it’s a bird, another dog, or an intriguing scent—and simply not listening to you anymore? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! This is where the attention or reorientation signal comes in. It’s like a little “magic word” that helps your dog break away from a distraction and refocus on you.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how to train the attention cue, why it’s such a useful tool in everyday life, and how it can help you improve communication with your dog.
Goal:To teach yourdog to stay calm in various situations and improve his impulse control.
Equipment:Dog Bed or blanket, treats, clicker or verbal cue, quiet room
Location: Home
Duration: 15days (depending on the dog’s progress, this can be extended to up to 30 days or more), approx. 10–15 minutes per day
Protocol for Relaxation - Was ist das?
Dr. Karen Overall’s Protocol for Relaxation (also known as the Relaxation Protocol) is a widely used method for teaching dogs to relax in a sustainable way. Dr. Karen Overall is a behavioral scientist who has developed several such programs. It serves as an excellent foundation for many other training exercises in dog training, such as greeting visitors, learning to wind down, calming down outdoors, impulse control, and many other exercises.
The Protocol for Relaxation is designed to last a total of 15 days. Depending on how quickly your dog learns, you can also split the days so that you complete half of the exercises, take a break, and then complete the rest of the exercises at a later time. Remember that the key to success lies in consistency and appropriate rewards. No dog becomes perfect overnight. So, only train with your dog for as long as it’s going well. The pace should be tailored to your dog. If necessary, you can spread the Protocol for Relaxation over 30 days or even longer. As mentioned earlier, adjust the pace to your dog and don’t rush him—after all, the goal is for him to relax.
The goal is for your dog to be able to sit or lie down—that is, to stay in one place—while he relaxes and you perform exercises at the same time. It doesn’t matter at all whether your dog is sitting or lying down. If you start with “sit” and your dog lies down over time, all the better. The goals of the Protocol of Relaxation are to teach your dog to relax, focus on you, and remain calm throughout. The idea is that your dog:
- learns impulse control in a variety of situations and
- associates the space you’ve created with a place for rest and relaxation.
You should always end the exercises on a positive note, meaning that the task has been completed. If you notice your dog’s concentration waning, stop the exercise and start over after a short break. Trying to push too hard and exceed your dog’s mental limits will only cause unnecessary anxiety and frustration. Once the dog is able to perform all tasks and exercises both on and off leash in one location (e.g., the living room), repeat all exercises in other rooms and locations (the backyard or the park—on leash). You can and should practice the Protocol for Relaxation in many different locations (especially outdoors).
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Stress and Relaxation
Not every dog is naturally relaxed, and it’s perfectly fine that our dogs are so different. However, it’s not healthy to live in a constant state of tension, and the Protocol for Relaxation is a great way to actively learn how to relax. Of course, neither you nor your dog can be relaxed in every situation. That’s perfectly fine, because stress is essential for survival for both us and our dogs and constantly signals danger to us. Accordingly, stress is a normal biological process, but it’s important to maintain a healthy and balanced level of stress.
The exciting thing about the Protocol for Relaxation is that it doesn’t just teach your dog to be calm and relaxed; it also helps you train your dog’s impulse control while providing them with an intense mental workout. So it’s a great training method not only for practicing relaxation, but also for bad weather, for older and inactive dogs, or simply as a daily mental exercise.
ℹ Info
Many dogs go through a period of 3 to 7 days during which their behavior actually gets worse before it improves. These exercises provide your dog with a set of rules he must follow, and for some dogs, this can initially lead to frustration and complete meltdowns. But once your dog realizes that he is rewarded for relaxing, his behavior will quickly improve again.
The exciting thing about the Protocol for Relaxation is that it doesn’t just teach your dog to be calm and relaxed; it also helps you train your dog’s impulse control while providing them with an intense mental workout. So it’s a great training method not only for practicing relaxation, but also for bad weather, for older and inactive dogs, or simply as a daily mental exercise.
Summary
The attention or reorientation signal is a valuable tool that helps you and your dog stay connected even in challenging situations. It not only encourages your dog to focus on you, but also strengthens your communication and bond. With a well-trained attention signal, you can safely guide your dog through distractions and help him focus his attention specifically on you without overwhelming him.
Remember that training this command takes time, patience, and consistency. Start in a low-stimulus environment and gradually increase the distractions so your dog can succeed at every step. Always pair the command with positive experiences so your dog will be happy to follow it. In the end, you’ll both benefit—you’ll have a dog that can navigate better, and your dog will know that he can always rely on you, no matter the situation.
By using the attention signal, you establish clear and gentle communication that strengthens your dog’s trust in you and makes him feel more secure during stressful moments. The signal becomes an indispensable tool in your daily life, helping you both overcome challenges together.
This video and training session are part of the Grungehorsam concept, a structured program designed to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully designed from a didactic and methodological perspective to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one, thereby achieving maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you follow the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The authors: Paulina & Lui
Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dog Training & Store]. Their journey in dog training began with the adoption of their first high-risk dog, Vito. This experience sparked a deep interest in sharing knowledge about dog behavior and training with other dog owners. Initially, this was merely a hobby, but with the adoption of Amalia, an American Pitbull who had been rehomed multiple times due to severe behavioral issues, their passion evolved into a true calling. Amalia’s unique behavioral challenges deepened their interest in dog training and behavioral therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, pursue intensive further training, and devote themselves entirely to the field of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically designed for medium and large breeds.
Based on this insight, Vitomalia [Dog Training & Store] was born—a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for high-quality dog supplies. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experiences, extensive knowledge, and passion for dogs to every product, with the goal of supporting human-dog teams in their daily lives.
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