{"id":19333,"date":"2022-03-16T06:58:39","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T12:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=19333"},"modified":"2022-03-16T06:58:40","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T12:58:40","slug":"dont-tell-your-dog-to-stay-quiet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/pet-parenting\/dont-tell-your-dog-to-stay-quiet","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Tell Your Dog to ‘Stay Quiet’. Give Them Something to Do."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have a challenging dog that gets stressed or overexcited in situations, chances are you\u2019ve looked for a \u201ccure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has become popular online for dog owners and trainers to suggest that anxious, reactive, and overexcited dogs need to be given structure. A frequent way this structure is obtained is by using a raised platform, forcing their dogs to go to that platform, and staying on there while things are happening around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a dog version of the outdated parenting approach that children should \u201cbe seen and not heard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With dog training, if you want to truly help your dog learn new skills, there are no quick fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Good & Bad of Place Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The idea behind this training methodology is that if you can tell a dog to go to a bed or raised platform they won\u2019t be underfoot. In theory, this isn\u2019t always a bad idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if your dog has a habit of getting in the way while you\u2019re in the kitchen cooking, sending your dog to their bed can be helpful. Once your dog is on their bed you can provide them with a chew or toy to entertain them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with “place training” arises when it is utilized when dogs are overwhelmed, and over threshold<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs shouldn\u2019t ever be asked to stay still in a location when they are stressed or scared. Reactivity or overexcitement like lunging or barking when they see another dog or people is generally a sign of stress and\/or fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your dog is stressed, it won\u2019t be able to listen or learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs forced to lay still on a platform may look \u201ccalm\u201d and appear like their unwanted behavior has been fixed. However, it is achieved by correcting a dog repeatedly and harshly for getting off the platform. As a result, the dog learns to fear breaking their stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog training in the United States is an unregulated industry and so anyone, regardless of how much or how little experience they have, can call themselves a dog trainer. This can result in aversive or harmful training approaches getting perpetuated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shutting Down: Complying vs. Being Calm <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There is nothing inherently wrong with teaching your dog to \u201cstay\u201d. In fact, this is an important skill to teach dogs. The difference is that you want to be sure that your dog is staying because they are comfortable with the skill and have been rewarded for doing so, not because they are afraid of what will happen if they don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should never ask your dog to stay still in a situation where they are afraid or uncomfortable. Just like if you were in a state of panic, you wouldn\u2019t want to be forced (with fear of punishment) to remain in a position where you feel unsafe. Unfortunately, this is what often happens with place training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although someone might be able to post a short video showing their training \u201csuccess\u201d where a dog goes from appearing out of control to laying on a platform, it\u2019s important to remember that a dog being compliant<\/em> is not the same as a dog being calm<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dog who is complying and doing a thing because they are afraid or uncomfortable is shut down and responding to commands out of fear of what will happen if they don\u2019t. These dogs may comply for a time for fear of punishment, but the underlying fear or discomfort isn\u2019t being addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Videos shared on social media that claim to have \u201ccured\u201d reactive dogs and have a dog laying calmly at the sight of a trigger can look impressive. However, it\u2019s important to recognize how damaging it is to use stay-in-place behavior as means of managing a dog who would otherwise be showing signs of stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over Threshold <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When working with an overexcited or anxious dog our goal should be to keep our dogs \u201cunder threshold<\/a>,\u201d meaning keeping dogs at a level where they are able to focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with \u201cplace training\u201d as a method of control for reactive, overexcited, or stressed dogs is that it requires the use of force or aversive training tools (such as collar corrections, yelling, shock\/ecollars) to force dogs to remain on their platform regardless of how they are feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When dogs go over threshold, they are likely to respond with behaviors (like cowering, lunging, trying to get away, shaking, whining, body stiffening, barking, hiding, growling, or even biting) that is a dog\u2019s natural way of communicating their discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intentionally putting our dogs in situations where they are over threshold by requiring them to stay close to triggers is not only unfair to our dogs, but it can also be dangerous. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intentionally putting our dogs in situations where they are over threshold by requiring them to stay close to triggers is not only unfair to our dogs, but it can also be dangerous. Especially if a dog has previously been punished for natural reactions like communicating discomfort through barking and growling, dogs will continue to be stressed and may intensify their response, which can lead to bites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatives to Place Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Providing dogs with opportunities to move their bodies and minds allows dogs to naturally defuse stressful, anxious, or overly exciting expectations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of asking your dog to stay quiet and tolerate situations they find stressful or upsetting, it\u2019s far more effective to give your dog alternatives that help them naturally reduce their stress. This can not only soothe an agitated dog but also help them to feel safe which can improve a dog\u2019s future response to previously stressful situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of suppressing behavior by trying to force your dog to stay in a position and be seen but not heard, it\u2019s more useful to meet your dog\u2019s emotional needs, especially during stressful situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of asking your dog to hold a stay, provide your dog opportunities to do naturally stress-relieving behaviors like sniffing or chewing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options for ways to help dogs relax during stressful situations include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n