The Relaxation Protocol
Every dog needs a physiological baseline for relaxation. Often inadvertently, we teach our dogs many things we do should be a cue for them to relax somewhere until we’re done. Things like, showering, sitting down in front of the computer, laying down in bed or sitting down for a meal are often cues to your dog you will not be interacting with them for a bit, so they’ll have to self-entertain or, even better, relax with you. However, there is a difference between doing a down and being able to quickly calm down on cue or in position.
The Relaxation Protocol designed by Dr. Karen Overall is a wonderful tool to train a physiological baseline for relaxation. It conditions a relaxed response to increasingly challenging distractions happening around your dog. The exercises range in difficulty from you standing still in front of your dog for 5 seconds, to you running in circles around your dog, clapping or walking to the front door, ringing the bell, counting to 20 and then returning. By the end of the protocol, your dog’s ability to readily relax will have noticeably improved.
The full protocol can be found in the Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals book but one person was kind enough to record each "day" of the protocol and upload it online for all to access. Those audio files can be found here. You can also find a YouTube playlist containing a video of each day of the protocol here.
Preparation
You will work in the same room for each day of the protocol. Choose a large room with a door, where you can walk completely around the dog and approximately 10 steps to either side of them. Give yourself room to maneuver.
Using a mat or platform can be helpful for generalizing relaxed behavior, just be sure to pick it up after each session and keep it tucked away until the protocol is complete. Your dog can sit, lay down or both for these exercises and each successfully completed step is rewarded with one treat.
You are free to repeat cues, prompt and lure - there should be no social pressure and your body language should match the mood. Remember, this is about relaxation, not precision or obedience so don't worry if it takes longer than 15 days to complete.
Having to repeat steps or "days" is normal. Feel free to take a day or two off and split sessions up if your dog is struggling to complete any of the days, as needed.
To begin you will need:
Your dog
A mat
Many treats
Your phone or laptop
A headset (optional)
During a calm and quiet time, bring your dog and your supplies to a large room within your home. Set the mat down on the floor near the center of the room, away from the walls. I recommend playing the protocol on a headset so your dog is not being cued by the recording but this step is not necessary.
Once you've put the mat down, prompt or lure your dog onto the mat and into a sit or down position. Speak gently and calmly, maintain a soft expression and try not to stare them down.
Once they are in place, stand in front of your dog in a neutral position. Try not to crowd your dog as it will prevent them from being able to relax, but don't stand so far back your dog feels compelled to get up and follow you. Then press play on the "day"/session and follow the prompts. Days 8 through 12, keep your phone handy because the recordings can be a little rushed.
Many dogs struggle between days 7 and 10. If your dog gets up from their sit or down as you are completing one of the tasks, pause the recording and calmly prompt your dog to return to the mat. Then, begin the protocol again. If you attempt the same task again and your dog gets up a second time, ask for a 15 second sit, then end the session for the day. The next training session, you will begin at the beginning of that same "day".
Good luck!
