This exercise should be calm and collected, practice at a time when your dog is already tired, encouraging calm behaviour from your dog. Gradually include distractions and practice in different locations, using your dog’s mat as a cue to settle. He was so drunk that he staggered all the way home. stagger: walk unsteadily as if about to fall. The old man hobbled along the street with the aid of his stick. Once your dog is comfortable lying on the mat with you next to them, gradually increase the distance between you and the mat, moving one step away and rewarding them for staying on the mat. limp: walk unevenly because one leg is hurt. Don’t go too quickly or your dog might get up! Step six Step fiveīuild up some duration for lying on the mat, do this by delaying reward for a couple of seconds initially and then increasing this at your dog’s pace. Once your dog goes to lie down on the mat whenever you get it out, wait for the them to rest their head on the mat before rewarding. Once the dog is comfortable to stand on the blanket, ask the dog to lie down and then reward them. Repeat this until the dog is comfortable to walk over and stand on the mat. To progress, reward the dog when they have two paws on the mat and gradually build this up to them having all four paws on the mat. Reward them by throwing treats on the mat instead of giving them from your hand to help build a strong association that the mat is a good place.

Reward the dog whenever they investigate or go near the mat.

Allow the dog to go over to the blanket and investigate. Place a mat, blanket or a towel on the floor so the dog has somewhere comfortable to lie down. View the audio transcript for this video Step one

Moves at a relaxed pace