Teaching "Settle"

Teaching "Settle" is a valuable cue to have in your toolbelt. We want our dog to learn to settl naturally without being asked. This means we do not give a cue word such as "down" during this excercise.

To capture and reward the settled behavior you also need to be prepared to be patient! the quickest way to teach this exercise is before meal time. Have a portion of kibble ready and sit down in a chair. If your dog does not come hand out by you get a 4 ft. leash and place it on the chair leg or tied to your belt. You will not need to touch the leash. It is just to keep him close. Now you WAIT! Ignore your dog, eventually he will get bored with you. During this time you can read a book, watch TV, play on your phone, but you do keep a partial eye on him waiting for the perfect moment. You do not look at, touch, or talk to your dog during this time. If your dog is soliciting attention by barking, pawing, or clambing in your lap you respond by crossing your arms and turning your body away. When your dog lies down drop a piece of kibble close to their paws. It is okay if they have to get up and get it, but try to get it close enough where they don't have to. Continue to provide intermittent kibble as long as the dog remains in the down position. A great goal is to build up to the enire meal.

Sneak tasty treats in (not kibble) when your dog in not looking. After the behavior is automatic and when your dog comes and lies beside you when you sit you can add a verbal cue. Now you can also begin to toss the treats a few feet away so he has to get up and get the treat and return to you and lie down "settle" for another treat. The first few times will result in an immediate treat, but after that begin to vary the time given between treats until your dog can lay 15 minutes without a treat. You can also give quiet praise during these extended settle times. Say things such as "good settle" or "good pup".

Begin to practice without a leash and in different locations and when you are standing or while on a walk when you stop for a rest on a bench. This can be done with low-cal treats or Cherrios but we don't want high value treats in this senerio because we don't want your dog up begging for the treats.

This method does not require you to have a mat or towel that you must take with you for your dog to "settle" on.