Teaching "Calm"

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My new trainer has gotten to know Murph pretty well over the past couple of weeks, and he's pointed out some things about his temperament that have been really helpful with his training.  Probably the biggest thing is that he has a tendency to get himself really excited, and this is what always gets him into trouble.  He's still such a big puppy, with tremendous energy. We started working a couple of days ago on a new word (I guess it's sort of a command), and it's "calm".  You may remember that I posted several months ago about how difficult it was to groom Murph.  He was going "ballistic" whenever I tried to comb or brush him.  He thrashed about and tried to grab the brush from my hand.  I assumed it was out of fear.  I worried that he might have some sort of strange tactile sensitivity.  So, this week I asked the trainer to observe my "grooming" with Murph and give me some advice.  Sure enough, Murph went into his typical "antics".  What he told me was Murphy was just playing a game with me, and he was having a "blast".  He said that there was absolutely no fear involved...as a matter of fact, it was just the opposite.  Again, it was Murph's excitement that was resulting in this behavior.  He took over, and it was completely different.  First of all, he calmed Murphy down, to the point where he was laying on his side and the trainer was massaging him.  When Murph was "ready" he started to slowly brush him.  Murph immediately stood up and tried to get the brush.  He gave a verbal correction and said "calm".  Guess what?  Murphy stopped.  He just sat there and didn't fight the brushing at all.  He brushed him for a good five minutes with no reactiveness from Murphy.  Then it was my turn.  I was nervous (because of past history), and sure enough Murphy went right back into his "crazyness".  The trainer sort of "talked me down" until I was completely calm, and we started again.  It worked.  So now we have a whole new thing that we've added to our bag of tricks, and it's the word "calm".  With things that make Murph "hyper" (which usually ends up making me hyper), I use the work "calm".  It's to remind BOTH of us to relax.  We tried it this morning when Murphy got crazy and started jumping on and off the bed...time after time.  He was "worked up".  I took his collar, and told him "calm".  Then I sat beside him and just softly petted him (calming myself at the same time).  His whole demeanor changed.  I find this really interesting.  We've also been talking a lot about how important exercise is for Murph as this stage so that he has an "appropriate" outlet for all his exuberance.  Next week he will start work with us on the treadmill.  It's not the perfect answer....walking is.  Right now with the weather, that's just not really practical, so we'll give this a try.  In the meantime, I'm watching for when Murph gets into this overly excited "place" and we're working on the "calm command". 

[Kyoko]

This is cool!! I would like to learn how to do that... Seems as that your trainer search was well worth it!!

[Linda and Murphy]

Jane, I am so impressed.  The command I use (was taught)  is "settle".  

It did not work yesterday when we went to doggy daycare. It was quite a while before he "settled" enough to go in.

He loves daycare so much (like cheese) I have a hard time getting his attention...even now.

You are such a wonderful doodle mom!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Linda.  I'm really TRYING to be a good Doodle Mom, but I still have a long way to go and so much to learn.  I think "settle" works exactly the same way as "calm".  My guys are always pretty "wired up" when we get to Daycare too.  They start in the parking lot.  I don't let them in the front door until they've calmed down...and sometimes it takes a while.

[Tara]

Thank you for posting this information. This is my dog in a nutshell. He knows sit, paw, come. But the grooming is a game to him. And he goes bonkers running all around the house bouncing all over the furniture. I will try this training method.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Let us know how it goes....

[Carol Brand]

Do you have a table?  I find that dogs are 100% better behaved on a grooming table than they are on the floor.    After that, it is just a matter of setting boundaries.   

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I never got a table because I just brush him, and take him to the groomer for everything else.  That's a thought though.

[Carol Brand]

A table is essential for any dog that needs regular brushing.  It should be required equipment for all Doodle owners.  Once you try a table, you will never go back!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Okay, I think it's going on my XMAS list!

[Carol Brand]

This is a great improvise.  People just need to make sure that whatever table they use is stable and will not fall over or collapse.  It is an owner's responsibility to keep her dog safe.   One advantage of buying a real grooming table is that you can fold it up and store it in a closet!