Comments on: Dog Training: How to relax your dog http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/08/dog-training-how-to-relax-your-dog/ harness your dog's prey instinct and have the happiest dog on the block Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:22:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Neil http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/08/dog-training-how-to-relax-your-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-2415 Neil Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:51:04 +0000 http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/08/06/dog-training-how-to-relax-your-dog/#comment-2415 Hi Rebecca, Thanks for writing, and I'm glad that this perspective resonates with you. As for tug, you should make sure that you're really gradual with introducing the game. Try to use an ultra attractive toy - maybe something fluffy, with a squeaky, and break the game down into ultra baby steps. On the other hand, you might find that if you spend more time with pushing, that you'll be able to come back around to tug after your dog becomes more focused on you when energized (which is what the pushing is for). You might just find that she knows exactly what to do, once she figures out that she can be energized around you safely. Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for writing, and I’m glad that this perspective resonates with you.

As for tug, you should make sure that you’re really gradual with introducing the game. Try to use an ultra attractive toy – maybe something fluffy, with a squeaky, and break the game down into ultra baby steps.

On the other hand, you might find that if you spend more time with pushing, that you’ll be able to come back around to tug after your dog becomes more focused on you when energized (which is what the pushing is for). You might just find that she knows exactly what to do, once she figures out that she can be energized around you safely.

]]> By: Rebecca Clark http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/08/dog-training-how-to-relax-your-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-2407 Rebecca Clark Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:49:41 +0000 http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/2007/08/06/dog-training-how-to-relax-your-dog/#comment-2407 I just love this perspective on dogs! It really resonates with me for some reason. I'd like to play more with my dog. When she gets excited, she romps around, wants some food, wants to go outside, etc. She also tends to mouth and nip, and I cannot entice her with a toy. It's like she has no idea what to do with a tug toy. The only way I can help her burn off energy is to walk her. I happen to enjoy walking with her quite a bit, but there are times when I'd rather stay in one place and let her do the running around. I'd love to let her win a tug-of-war, but she just won't engage! What can I do? I just love this perspective on dogs! It really resonates with me for some reason.
I’d like to play more with my dog. When she gets excited, she romps around, wants some food, wants to go outside, etc. She also tends to mouth and nip, and I cannot entice her with a toy. It’s like she has no idea what to do with a tug toy. The only way I can help her burn off energy is to walk her. I happen to enjoy walking with her quite a bit, but there are times when I’d rather stay in one place and let her do the running around. I’d love to let her win a tug-of-war, but she just won’t engage! What can I do?

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