Teaching your dog how to settle on a mat or their bed may seem like it has nothing to do with reactivity, but it surprisingly does!

When we're teaching our dogs to regulate their emotions in one scenario (relax on your bed while I cook dinner), it actually makes it a lot easier for them to regulate their emotions in another area (calmy watch strange dogs walk by).

Additionally, your mat will become a conditioned cue that means "it's time to relax and chill!". You can then use your mat in addition to other parts of our behavior modification and training to set the stage for how your dog should be feeling and acting, even out in public.

I often start Engage & Disengage with having my dog settle on a mat! They see the mat and remember all the calming relaxation they've had on it, and it also gives them a clear physical cue of where they should be, and helps you know where you need to stay with your dog, instead of creeping forward and into the danger zone!

Teaching your dog to settle on their bed and relax doesn't have to be difficult! In fact, using my method, it's so easy you can do it in your jammies!