Toys as well quotes this as stiff leaning back ditch If you are a dog trainer, you need to coach your clients on how to read and calibrate their own dogs' scales. The Calm-O-Meter system could also help teach your clients what is reasonable behavior from their dogs. times people just get used to certain behaviors and only look for help when those behaviors become unbearable. The Calm-O-Meter provides a way to re-measure or re-assess a client's awareness of certain behaviors, at the same time helping set reasonable expectations for what is asked of the dog while those behaviors are changed. Try the Calm-O-Meter, see what you think, and then add your comments to the bottom of this article. We feedback! We would particularly to know if you use this technique conjunction with the protocols. Hello, thanks for the article. I have one dog that gets very excited before walks, and the excitement starts when I start to put shoes on the morning. Then, I get his and other dog's backpacks, leashes, etc, all the while he is starting to breath heavily and move around me excitedly. The article says I should get him to sit calmly by the door before we leave, but am I reinforcing his anxiety by the preceeding steps of putting his backpack on, his leash, heading towards the door? I do not put his backpack, leash etc. on before he is sitting nicely, but he's very tightly strung when sitting there. Would the process work better if asking for more and more calm before the steps leading to the walk, or does the through the door part take care of the rest? I have been able to cue settle for three dogs. This initially was for calming down and resting at feet, kind of like at ease the military. For the older two, I was able to have it mean calm down, settle down and focus while the agility ring. Did you work with all 3 dogs at the same time? I have 3 and adults are usually calm before a walk it's youngest that is not and it is rarely feasible for me to take her out separately. Besides, I do want her to behave well the pack. They can all be very calm on solitary walks. The dynamic changes the group situation. Any suggestion would be welcome. I have had great success with clicker training but I am still relatively a novice. Thanks, Ri >>They can all be very calm on solitary walks. The dynamic changes the group situation<< I know the reason for this only too well! When you walk with one dog it is easier to follow through on whatever behavior modification you use to reinforce loose leashes. When you have to do this with more than one dog it becomes much harder. Pretty soon they start to figure out what they can get away with when there is more than one dog on the walk. I would definitely start using the Calm-O-Meter with the youngest before you leave the house, and keep up your training when you're on the walk. If possible, try to walk safe off-leash areas to give you and bit of reprieve from time to time. Regards, Aidan Thanks for taking time to reply, Adian. I definitely use the Calm o' Meter with Buttercup. When I do take them on off lease walks it is remarkable at how well behaved they are. I allow them to explore as they like and they are all excellent on recall, especially little Butter. She races back ahead of the older dogs for her treat or pets, and and is off again upon release. Of course, I am quite surprised by this since she can be such a hand full on the lease. Regards, Ri Ippolito. We provide you with everything you need to bathe your of all you get to leave the mess behind for us to clean. We also offer nail trims, express anal glands and clean ears. We sell Lupine collars and leashes training treats toys pet clothing and a variety of other pet products. If you are looking for something and can't find it let us know and we find it for you. Our staff includes two Groomers,two bathers and two Veterinary Technicians one has 33 years of experience the veterinary field and and one is licensed three states with over 10 years of experience. Animals are our life. We offer more than just a great bathing experience for you and your pets, we offer our professional skills and knowledge. Hi I adopted a male pit bull when he