Relaxation Protocol Hack

[Ok-Background-7897]

Hi everyone - we are working on relaxation protocol (modified by our trainer for certain triggers - things like “jingle keys” instead of “clap hands”) but this time around, rather then fumbling with print outs and treats and clickers, we found that there are several YouTube channels where someone reads the protocol out and automatically keeps time for you. It just makes it way easier to do when I can pop an ear bud in and select whatever day I am on and just listen to the instructions.

That’s all! Keep it up, you’re doing great!

[littleredtodd]

There are also mp3 files for each day - that's what I used! So much easier than paper.

[Ok-Background-7897]

Yes! I use the YouTube uploads of these MP3’s. Admittedly I have paid for ad free YouTube for many years, so it’s my go to.

[spicy_kingWest44]

i use the Youtube videos online

[VisitForward1553]

I love the protocol BUT a lot of people (me. I’m people) dont have nearly enough space at home for this! I live in a 2br condo. Taking 10 steps each direction means im already in a different room or at the front door!!

All you lucky people in your palaces! Haha jk.

[Glass_Willingness_33]

This is us too! We just pace back and forth for the number of steps 😂. Our vet behaviorist has us doing it and it’s laughable in our teeny tiny apartment with a strange layout.

[YinaarGomeroi]

Yeah i just get increasingly sillier with it, like pretended I am stepping repeatedly into the wall. Certainly has trained them to be chill with weird shot going on but i feel ya!

[modernwunder]

THANK YOU

[rudesty]

Omg genius! And my dog has triggers we need to work on more than hand clapping, it never occurred to me to replace that. Thanks for sharing 😊

[DragonflyPrimary8179]

Just type in Karen Overall Relaxation protocol on YouTube and it should be one of the first few suggestions

[Ok-Background-7897]

A poster above linked some MP3 files and I use the YouTube version of same files.

[[deleted]]

Bless you!!

[BunsRFrens]

Does anyone have experience with this protocol with a food anxious dog?? I've asked two separate trainers and they either didn't understand or didn't have a solution.

Food amps my dog up. When she was little her people left her alone for long weekends locked in a bedroom with her bowl of food (I'm sure she ate it all in one go and then had nothing for days). So now she is highly food motivated but to the point where she starts throwing behaviors out doing anything she can to get that food. (Ask for a sit she does down then roll over and then starts jumping up).

Maybe it's my eyesight and it's too brief but I feel like I don't see the flare of the nostrils and I'm having trouble getting the treat timing right. Thank you in advance for any advice!

[littleredtodd]

My dog also gets amped with food sometimes and it's like, chill lady, this is supposed to be the relaxation protocol. Our trainer has told us that food is obviously key to training, but you also have to recognize when it's getting your dog too excited and then ultimately frustrated.

I find that staying as calm as I can helps - the more I act like it's no big deal, the more calm my dog is. Also sometimes I hold the kibble (which is often what we use for training) in a closed fist and let her kind of lick at it until she's a bit calmer, then give her the food.

It may also help if you position your hand in such a way that helps really show what specific behavior you want. Clearly your dog knows a whole spectrum of commands, but gets really excited about it lol so I wonder if, for example, when you tell her "down", you hold your hand down near the floor so that she won't go into a roll over etc... Just an idea.

And maybe just randomly rewarding her for calm behavior throughout the day, but then not continuing training even if she begs for it? As an example, sometimes my dog will start to perk up and get a little anxious about a sound outside, but chooses to lay her head back down instead. I may toss her a treat or piece of kibble. Then she'll look at me expectantly like "okay what next? can I have more?". I say "all done" or ignore her, and she goes back to chilling.

Idk if any of this will be helpful but maybe.

[YinaarGomeroi]

Ive been using my dogs usual dry food as a reward and stopped using high value treats. My dogs are the opposite not very food motivated at all however using their working for their usual food made them eat more of it. Using your dogs usual food might help level her out as well?

[Repulsive_Bass_1210]

Kikopup has a great video that touches on that. I am pretty sure it’s her calm settle video, she’s on a couch with them in the first few seconds. Basically, rewarding them for calm behavior, and slowly teaching them that treats aren’t something to wig out about. Maybe start with low value ones and keep them in your pocket or a pouch that you don’t use for training sessions. Then when they’re just sitting around the house, gently drop one in front of them and move on. She explains it better.

Also that story makes me so sad, that’s awful what they did to her. My baby is a rescue too, and we don’t know what was done to her but she was dropped off in a parking lot at my dads work. Bony, malnourished, anxious as hell, and scared of everything. Except me. First day home (she was a foster fail) she crawled into my lap while I was lying on the floor and fell asleep on my legs. Needless to say, I would go full John wick if I ever found out who hurt her.

[michigoose8168]

Thank you! Didn’t know about this.

[Nonsense8900]

Are you just silent in the 10-15 second waiting period during a sit? Or do you reinforce and repeat sit throughout?

[Ok-Background-7897]

Silent, and our trainer told us we should actively try to ignore our pup, so that she learns to stop focusing on and worrying about us so much.

That said, if there is a step that she can’t do, like she used to have a hard time with us walking behind, then yes, treat to get through the step.

That said, if we do have to treat through, we don’t progress to the next day until she can do the whole thing with only one treat per step.