Settle Down is a protocol we developed as part of our advanced manners curriculum at Clickety Split Dog Training.   It quickly became our most popular skill and the most often mentioned by clients as a "life saver" for their dogs.    

Soon new clients started to ask when they could learn how we taught our demo dogs to lay down during classes (when they were not helping us) and we told them the Settle Down was taught in our advanced class.

But it occurred to me that there is nothing really advanced about this protocol, unlike all the other "mat," "place," and back tie methods out there, our method was simple and easy - and it didn't require any devices, special leashes or tie outs, beds, cots, or anything other than the dog's regular food and some treats.  

So we decided to move the Settle Down into our beginner manners class and reactive dog class and the results were amazing!   Dog, even high energy dogs and puppies, were calmer overall, they learned better, and their caregivers raved about how much calmer and more mannerly their dog was at home, at the park, vet, and in a wide variety of other situations.  

We have taught this protocol to hundreds of dogs and their owners now, as well as our own dogs, and find it's simple and straightforward methods are effective for almost all dogs no matter their age, size, energy level, or other obedience or manners skills.    

It's entirely possible to teach this protocol to a wide range of dogs - highly trained dogs, untrained dogs, young dogs, and an old dogs - and find equal success!  

The only dogs that may not be appropriate for this  class are dogs who do not like food and are underweight (because overweight dogs who are picky are not really picky, or they wouldn't be underweight).   Dogs who are "free fed" would need to be moved to a meal schedule for this class and long term maintenance of the Settle Down does benefit from ongoing practice.

While no particular training skills or special supplies are needed for this class, you will need to spend some time teaching your dog. Your dog will require some interest in food and have all their exercise and enrichment needs met.  

The settle down is NOT a "down stay"  or "stay" exercise as needed for competition obedience, rally, or other dog sports - instead this is a practical and casual relaxed behavior protocol intended for daily life.