Flexibility is such an amazing trait to have in your dog. Most dogs do not come flexible but with easy changes to your daily routine you can create a flexible dog.

Here are a few perks with having a flexible dog. For example, a flexible dog:

• does not care if you stay home all day when you’re sick (like I am just now).
• can be calm in the car when it comes to a stop
• can be calm when you take the lead out
• can stay calm when you have guests that they’re not allowed to meet
• doesn’t get overexcited every time when you take food out or go to the fridge
• is easy to travel with
• can cope really well with big life changes

In short, a flexible dog stays calm in all situations until you tell them otherwise.

SO HOW DO YOU GET A FLEXIBLE DOG?

Mix it up! Here are a few examples:

If they get stressed in the car, take them on many short trips where they don’t get come out straight away, or at all.

If they get super excited when you get ready for a walk. Take the lead out many times throughout the day without going out.

Other things you can do: Mix up the times and places you walk. Rustle the food bag without feeding them, have guests over and don’t let them greet straight away and so on.

IMPORTANT: This technique does not work if your dog is actually scared or nervous around guests or in the car for example. Then you need a different approach.

HOW DO YOU START?

Pick one or two situations when your dog gets frustrated or overexcited and start mixing it up. In the beginning you can give your dog a comfort prize in the form a Kong, a chew bone or a lick mat to help keep the stress levels low.

Have any questions about your dog’s frustration? Ask them below or send me a message!