Slow Breathing Method - The Ticket to a Relaxed Down

“Dominate,” “Command,” and “Obey” are NOT words I use as a dog trainer to teach a long down stay. 

Instead, I opt for words like “Partner,” “Engage,” and “Cue.” Why? I teach you how to get your dog on your team so you can relax together. 

🐕 As their handler, we possess everything a dog needs. There's no need for a power struggle. We can change our approach to teach them a nice, calm down. 😉⁣

The Slow Breathing Method (SBM) builds duration for a long downstay. I created a method using other techniques, such as Suzanne Clothier’s Really Real Relaxation, Sue Ailsby’s Chutes and Ladders, and reward cues made famous by Shade Whitesel. I’ve added my twists to ensure success. 

SBM is best used when layered with Down and Squish skills.  Dogs should be able to be lured into a down. A strong Squish cue (Denise Fenzi) is also instrumental for several reasons. 

Have LOTS of treats ready. Your dog will be on leash. Here we go!

Round One:

1. Sit in a chair and lure your dog into their Squish position. 
2. Lure your dog into a down. Reward on the floor between their paws. 
3. Feed them ten treats in a row while they are lying down. 
4. Say “Find,” toss a treat for them to chase. 

Round Two:

1. Sit in a chair and lure your dog into their Squish position. 
2. Continue to lure your dog into a down. Reward on the floor between their paws. 
3. Take one long, slow breath. Calmly place a treat on the floor between their paws. 
4. Repeat step 3 ten times. 
5. Say “Find,” toss a treat for them to chase. 

Round Three:

1. Sit in a chair and lure your dog into their Squish position. 
2. Continue to lure your dog into a down. Reward on the floor between their paws. 
3. Take one long, slow breath. Calmly place a treat on the floor between their paws. 
4. Take two long, slow breaths. Calmly place a treat on the floor between their paws. 
5. Take three long, slow breaths. Calmly place a treat on the floor between their paws. 
6. Say “Find,” toss a treat for them to chase.

Round Four

Repeat Round Four from the beginning, but add another breath to a total of four breaths. 

Round Five and Beyond

Continue adding a breath. 

Troubleshooting

What happens if my dog gets up before the allotted breathes? 

This is important, so please listen carefully. The answer is that you start at the very beginning. Yes, all the way back to Round One! 

Do you mean if I’m on breath 18 and my dog gets up, I need to start on Round One again? 

Yes! This is precisely what you do. You’ll have the best chance of success if you follow this rule. 

What if my dog begins to whine or vocalize? 

This is something to watch out for. Some dogs might struggle with duration and express discomfort by barking or whining while lying down. In such cases, immediately release your dog and start at the beginning of Round One. 

Tips:

• Try to relax, or at least ‘fake it to make it’ by not staring at your dog. Instead, gaze around over your dog, slow your rate of blinking, relax your facial muscles, lean back and get comfortable. 
• Practice in low-key environments such as different rooms in your home or, in some cases, a quiet park bench. 
• Depending on your dog’s age and location, staying at a certain breath number may be prudent over a few practice sessions. For example, I might stay at Round Three for a young puppy in my living room for a few days before adding any breaths to remain successful. 
• If your dog shows calm signals such as a deep breath, slow blinking rate, gazing, head down, etc, calmly reach down and give them a slow, soothing touch. 

With time and patience, you'll have a nice, calm down in public venues like Service Dog Apollo. 

If you are looking for support, let's schedule a Discovery Call so we can chat further about your needs.