Building Calm in an Exciting World

We live in a noisy, exciting, fast-paced world.

And for our dogs, that can be overwhelming.

There are so many triggers: other dogs, skateboards, joggers, wildlife, delivery drivers, loud sounds, sudden movements. Even the things we want our dogs to enjoy—parks, shops, visitors—can quickly push them into a state of over-arousal.

That’s why helping your dog build true calmness is one of the best gifts you can give them.

Calmness isn’t just the absence of movement. It’s a state of being where your dog can relax, observe, and choose thoughtful responses—even when the world around them is exciting.

And like any other skill, it’s something we can teach.

Why Calm Matters

Many of the behavior struggles I see with clients trace back to this core issue: the dog doesn’t yet know how to be calm in certain situations.

👉 Barking and lunging on leash? Often over-arousal.
👉 Over-excited greetings? Lack of calm foundation.
👉 Jumping, mouthing, inability to settle? You guessed it.

Building calmness gives your dog the tools to navigate the human world more successfully—and it gives you a more enjoyable life with your dog.

My Own Learning Curve

I didn’t always understand this. Like many trainers, I started out focused on "doing"—teaching behaviors, building skills.

But it was Roo who helped teach me the importance of being—of helping dogs feel safe and calm, not just perform tasks.

Roo was a naturally sensitive dog. If I rushed her into exciting environments without preparation, she’d become overwhelmed and disengaged. But when I started building calmness as a foundation—through structured games, clear expectations, and plenty of decompression time—she became more resilient and relaxed.

That shift changed the way I train to this day.

Bagheera’s Calm Work

Bagheera is an energetic, driven dog—but she’s also learned that calmness earns great outcomes.

And calmness isn’t just about holding still. It’s about mental relaxation—being able to observe the world, process what’s happening, and make good choices instead of reacting impulsively.

I’ve put a lot of work into helping Bags develop that kind of calm mindset—not just teaching her to sit still, but to truly relax in the presence of stimulation.

I’ve used mat training, pattern games, calm reinforcement, and plenty of decompression walks to build that skill.

Now, when we go to busy places, I often see her check in with me, offer calm behaviors, and genuinely settle. She’s not just holding a position to earn a treat—she’s breathing, thinking, and staying mentally present.

That’s the kind of calm I want for all the dogs I work with.

Calmness Is Built, Not Installed

You can’t install calmness like a software update. And you can’t force a dog to “hold still” and call that calm—true calmness is mental relaxation as well as physical composure.

It takes:

✅ Consistent practice
✅ Appropriate reinforcement
✅ Thoughtful management of environments
✅ Patience (it’s a long game, not a quick fix)

But it’s worth every bit of the effort.

Games and Practices That Build Calm

Here are a few of my favorite ways to help dogs build calmness:

👉 Mat training—reward your dog for relaxing on a mat in a variety of environments.
👉 Pattern games—simple structured games that promote focus and predictability (such as 1-2-3 treat or Up-Down).
👉 Calm reinforcement—reinforce calm behaviors before the dog starts escalating.
👉 Controlled exposure—gradually introduce your dog to more stimulating environments, rewarding calm engagement.
👉 Sniff walks—give your dog time to decompress and explore calmly through scent.

Final Thought

In today’s fast, exciting world, helping your dog build calm is one of the best investments you can make.

It makes life better for your dog—and for you.

Remember: calmness is built, not installed. Start small, practice often, and celebrate progress.

If you’d like help building calmness with your dog, I’d love to work with you. Reach out anytime for coaching or workshops.