December 11: Collar Play – A Mood Booster for Your Dog! 🐕🎄
Happy December 11th! Today we're going to talk about a super useful and fun exercise that will not only strengthen your dog's behavior - but also its mood! 🐾🎉 We're diving into collar play - a technique that is not just about getting the dog to react to the collar, but which can also be used to actively change the dog's emotions in the moment, a bit like when we force ourselves to smile to feel a little happier! 😄
Collar play as a mood controller
You probably know it – when we humans force ourselves to smile or laugh, it can actually change our mood and make us feel a little happier, even if we don’t necessarily feel that way at first. We can apply the same principle to our dogs through collar play! 🎯
When we grab our dog's collar, we can actively change its emotions and reactions if we make it a positive experience. If your dog is in a stressful situation – perhaps upset or stressed – you can use the collar as a "mood-controlling tool" that helps the dog shift focus and find calm, just as we find some joy in forcing ourselves to smile. 😊
How does collar play work as a mood regulator?
When we regularly grab our dog's collar and make it a fun, positive experience, we can help the dog change their emotional state in the moment. For example, if the dog is a little nervous, stressed, or upset, grabbing the collar can make them stop and turn their attention to you - in a fun and positive way!
Collar play almost acts as a redirection of the dog's energy. Instead of reacting negatively to a situation – such as being scared or excited about another dog, by grabbing the collar you can help the dog find focus elsewhere! 🐾💡
Training method: Make the collar something fun
To make collar play an effective mood management tool, you need to make sure your dog associates it with something positive. You can do this by following this simple training plan:
1. Start small – Create a positive association with the collar:
Start by gently touching the collar and reward the dog with a treat or praise right away. This way the dog will quickly learn that there is nothing scary about grabbing the collar, but that it means something good! 🥰
2. Longer time and more contact:
As your dog becomes more comfortable with the collar, you can increase the amount of time you touch it while rewarding it. This makes the collar a positive tool that can also be used to help manage your dog's mood in stressful situations. 🌟
3. Change in mood:
Use collar play as a tool when your dog is upset or in a stressful situation. For example, if your dog becomes nervous or starts to react to something you can't control, grab the collar, make a positive grip, and say something calming. The dog's attention will quickly be directed to you, and he will begin to associate the collar with something pleasant and fun. 🎉
How does your dog react to collar play?
Dogs react differently when you grab their collar – and this can help you understand how to best use the collar as a "mood-controlling" tool:
1. The dog loves it:
If your dog responds positively and actively seeks to get closer to you, it means they already associate collar play with something fun and positive. It's a sign that this exercise is a great tool to help your dog change their mood and regain focus. 🥳
2. The dog doesn't care:
If your dog is neutral and doesn't really respond to the collar, you can work on making it even more fun and engaging for them. You can increase the value of collar play with extra rewards or fun activities so they start to see it as something positive and exciting. 🎉
3. The dog fears or hates it:
If the dog reacts negatively to the collar, it is important to take it slowly and work on changing its perception of it. Start by calming it down and creating small, positive experiences where you touch the collar in short intervals and reward it with something good. That way, the dog learns that there is nothing to fear. ❤️
Conclusion: Collar play as an important part of training
Collar play is a great tool, not only for getting your dog to respond to the collar, but also as an effective method for changing your dog's mood. By using it positively, you can help your dog calm down, change their focus, and create a better relationship between you. It's like making your dog "smile" - even when it doesn't feel like it!
How does your dog react to you grabbing the collar? Share your experience in the comments below the gate on Facebook - and you'll have a chance to win! 🎁
About Zara Zachariasen from Dog Life
Zara is a dedicated dog trainer and passionate dog owner.
Zara's love for dogs and the relationship between dog and owner shines through in her approach to training. She pays attention to detail and often has a strong theoretical approach to her teaching.
Zara currently works full-time as a dog trainer in her company Hundeliv. Here she shares her knowledge with physical training classes, and as a presenter of webinars, workshops and articles.
Follow Zara on the Facebook page " Hundeliv ," where she shares her own training experiences and reflections.
Advent Calendar with Dog Life in Door 11 - Teach your dog the collar game
December 11: Collar Play – A Mood Booster for Your Dog! 🐕🎄
Happy December 11th! Today we're going to talk about a super useful and fun exercise that will not only strengthen your dog's behavior - but also its mood! 🐾🎉 We're diving into collar play - a technique that is not just about getting the dog to react to the collar, but which can also be used to actively change the dog's emotions in the moment, a bit like when we force ourselves to smile to feel a little happier! 😄
Collar play as a mood controller
You probably know it – when we humans force ourselves to smile or laugh, it can actually change our mood and make us feel a little happier, even if we don’t necessarily feel that way at first. We can apply the same principle to our dogs through collar play! 🎯
When we grab our dog's collar, we can actively change its emotions and reactions if we make it a positive experience. If your dog is in a stressful situation – perhaps upset or stressed – you can use the collar as a "mood-controlling tool" that helps the dog shift focus and find calm, just as we find some joy in forcing ourselves to smile. 😊
How does collar play work as a mood regulator?
When we regularly grab our dog's collar and make it a fun, positive experience, we can help the dog change their emotional state in the moment. For example, if the dog is a little nervous, stressed, or upset, grabbing the collar can make them stop and turn their attention to you - in a fun and positive way!
Collar play almost acts as a redirection of the dog's energy. Instead of reacting negatively to a situation – such as being scared or excited about another dog, by grabbing the collar you can help the dog find focus elsewhere! 🐾💡
Training method: Make the collar something fun
To make collar play an effective mood management tool, you need to make sure your dog associates it with something positive. You can do this by following this simple training plan:
1. Start small – Create a positive association with the collar:
Start by gently touching the collar and reward the dog with a treat or praise right away. This way the dog will quickly learn that there is nothing scary about grabbing the collar, but that it means something good! 🥰
2. Longer time and more contact:
As your dog becomes more comfortable with the collar, you can increase the amount of time you touch it while rewarding it. This makes the collar a positive tool that can also be used to help manage your dog's mood in stressful situations. 🌟
3. Change in mood:
Use collar play as a tool when your dog is upset or in a stressful situation. For example, if your dog becomes nervous or starts to react to something you can't control, grab the collar, make a positive grip, and say something calming. The dog's attention will quickly be directed to you, and he will begin to associate the collar with something pleasant and fun. 🎉
How does your dog react to collar play?
Dogs react differently when you grab their collar – and this can help you understand how to best use the collar as a "mood-controlling" tool:
1. The dog loves it:
If your dog responds positively and actively seeks to get closer to you, it means they already associate collar play with something fun and positive. It's a sign that this exercise is a great tool to help your dog change their mood and regain focus. 🥳
2. The dog doesn't care:
If your dog is neutral and doesn't really respond to the collar, you can work on making it even more fun and engaging for them. You can increase the value of collar play with extra rewards or fun activities so they start to see it as something positive and exciting. 🎉
3. The dog fears or hates it:
If the dog reacts negatively to the collar, it is important to take it slowly and work on changing its perception of it. Start by calming it down and creating small, positive experiences where you touch the collar in short intervals and reward it with something good. That way, the dog learns that there is nothing to fear. ❤️
Conclusion: Collar play as an important part of training
Collar play is a great tool, not only for getting your dog to respond to the collar, but also as an effective method for changing your dog's mood. By using it positively, you can help your dog calm down, change their focus, and create a better relationship between you. It's like making your dog "smile" - even when it doesn't feel like it!
How does your dog react to you grabbing the collar? Share your experience in the comments below the gate on Facebook - and you'll have a chance to win! 🎁
About Zara Zachariasen from Dog Life
Zara is a dedicated dog trainer and passionate dog owner.
Zara's love for dogs and the relationship between dog and owner shines through in her approach to training. She pays attention to detail and often has a strong theoretical approach to her teaching.
Zara currently works full-time as a dog trainer in her company Hundeliv. Here she shares her knowledge with physical training classes, and as a presenter of webinars, workshops and articles.
Follow Zara on the Facebook page " Hundeliv ," where she shares her own training experiences and reflections.