Karen Total’s Rest Protocol: What It Is & Why It Rocks

Do you’ve a canine who’s all the time on the go? He in all probability spends his days driving you loopy together with his countless array of enthusiastic actions, and he by no means appears to calm down.

Perhaps you’ve a canine who appears afraid of all the things. His concern and stress are in all probability apparent more often than not, and he might by no means appear to relax as he strikes all through his day.

Or maybe your doggo is reactive. In that case, he’s in all probability all the time looking out for one thing, and when he sees it, he explodes in a frenzy of barking, or get so distracted it’s such as you don’t exist.

Canines who’ve points with hyperactivity, fearfulness, or reactivity might have hassle stress-free, or calming themselves down once they get excited.

It’s like they’ve merely by no means discovered easy methods to calm down! Fortuitously, there’s a approach to train your pooch to relax out — it’s known as a leisure protocol.

Beneath, we’ll define one of the crucial celebrated leisure protocols, checklist the belongings you’ll must implement it, and clarify one of the simplest ways to show it to your canine!

Karen Total’s Rest Protocol: Key Takeaways

• Karen Total’ leisure protocol is a sequence of coaching workouts designed to assist your canine be taught to put down and calm down. The protocol could be useful for almost any canine, nevertheless it’s significantly helpful for these fighting hyperactivity, anxiousness, or reactivity.
• The protocol takes a while to work by way of, however a lot of the steps are simple to grasp and implement. You received’t want lots of gear or provides both — you’ll simply want some treats and a mat (though you might also desire a clicker and deal with pouch too).
• Many fashionable trainers love the comfort protocol as a result of it depends on constructive reinforcement. That is vital as aversive coaching methods might exacerbate the very behavioral issues you’re making an attempt to deal with.

What Is a Canine Rest Protocol?

Instructing canines easy methods to do a habits like “Keep” might help canines be taught to be nonetheless. However some canines are poised in “work mode” the entire time they’re staying.

Positive, they’re staying in place, however they’re on excessive alert your complete time with each muscle tense.

This implies they by no means truly calm down.

Fortunately, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Total seen that our pet canines may use some assist with studying easy methods to calm down. So, in 1997 she revealed a coaching instrument known as a canine leisure protocol.

What does the protocol encompass?

The protocol is made up of directions and coaching duties, that are damaged down right into a 15-day program consisting of particular activity lists.

Every activity includes asking your canine to lie down and calm down whilst you carry out quite a lot of actions, akin to:

• Clapping your arms
• Doing leaping jacks
• Exiting the room and returning

So long as your canine continues to lie down comfy and calm down whilst you carry out these actions, he’ll get a deal with from you.

Discuss a straightforward pay day!

Many canine homeowners make it a aim to observe one checklist every day with their canine, as they be taught the protocol collectively.

For the very best outcomes, you’ll need to begin by training the protocol in simple, acquainted places (akin to in your front room). From there, you’ll need to begin training in more and more distracting places.

Each canine has various quantities of pleasure or anxiousness in numerous conditions. However it doesn’t matter what will get your canine labored up and uncontrolled, training the comfort protocol in numerous totally different locations might help him learn to calm down. It’ll additionally will let you recapture his consideration and focus extra simply.

This explicit leisure protocol is great for canines who reply nicely to specializing in cued habits and coaching experiences with their proprietor.

Earlier than you begin engaged on Karen Total’s Rest Protocol, your canine might want to have some fundamental mat abilities already established. Don’t have a mat cue but? Try our video on mat coaching under:

Karen Total’s Rest Protocol: Day 1 Instance

Let’s check out what the primary day of the Karen Total Rest Protocol covers.

Day one is structured as follows:

• Down for five seconds
• Down for 10 seconds
• Down whilst you take 1 step again and return
• Down whilst you take 2 steps again and return
• Down for 10 seconds
• Down whilst you take 1 step to the proper and return
• Down whilst you take 1 step to the left and return
• Down for 10 seconds
• Down whilst you take 2 steps again and return
• Down whilst you take 2 steps to the proper and return
• Down for 15 seconds
• Down whilst you take 2 steps to the left and return
• Down whilst you clap your arms softly as soon as
• Down whilst you take 3 steps again and return
• Down whilst you depend out loud to 10
• Down whilst you clap your arms softly as soon as
• Down whilst you depend out loud to twenty
• Down whilst you take 3 steps to the proper and return
• Down whilst you clap your arms softly twice
• Down for 3 seconds
• Down for five seconds
• Down whilst you take 1 step again and return
• Down for 3 seconds
• Down for 10 seconds
• Down for five seconds
• Down for 3 seconds

As you possibly can see, day one mixes some tougher actions (like hand clapping and counting out loud) to simpler actions (akin to merely mendacity down for 3-5 seconds).

Finally, in future days, you’ll progress to opening doorways, working in circles round your canine, speaking to imaginary individuals, and so on. Quickly your canine will know easy methods to calm down in quite a lot of circumstances!

Why is Studying to Calm down Vital for Canines?

Some canines are naturally alert and on-guard. Instructing your canine easy methods to calm down in sure settings will enhance their high quality of life and should even assist resolve sure behavioral points (which we’ll element later).

Having a educated “calm down and chill” habits can be useful in quite a lot of out-on-the-towns settings during which your canine’s solely job is to sit down again and take it simple. Examples embrace:

• Cafes. If you wish to do work at a restaurant along with your canine, you’ll in all probability need to assist him be taught to calm down.
• Breweries. Breweries are one other sort of dog-friendly institution that you could be take pleasure in bringing your canine to. It’ll be simpler to calm down with associates in case your canine is calm as nicely.
• Public Transportation. Educate your canine to lie calmly at your ft if you take an Uber or subway prepare to a vacation spot.
• Sport Competitions. When you take part in aggressive canine sports activities, it’s nice to show your canine easy methods to “flip off” amidst the joy.

What Do You Have to Educate Your Canine the Rest Protocol?

The comfort protocol generally is a nice coaching pathway that will help you and your canine take pleasure in extra relaxed time collectively!

However earlier than you get began on the primary coaching checklist, ensure you have the provides you want, so that you and your canine can have probably the most success doable.

Obligatory Coaching Instruments: Excessive-High quality Coaching Treats

Treats are very important! The comfort protocol was created counting on constructive reinforcement to assist your canine really feel good and completely satisfied whereas he learns easy methods to calm down with you.

Discovering the very best high-value coaching treats on your canine might take a little bit preliminary effort from you and style testing by your pooch, however the trials can be value it.

With the proper treats that your particular person canine adores, your canine will be taught quicker and bear in mind longer. He’ll even be motivated to strive as onerous as he can to earn the great snacks that you’re accountable for.

The comfort protocol’s directions encourage homeowners to seek out small treats (pinky-nail dimension) which are extra attention-grabbing than dry biscuits, however not so thrilling that your canine can’t take them calmly.

Some good treats to begin with embrace:

• Tiny items of cheese
• Boiled rooster bit

Notice that including some selection to your deal with assortment can be useful, since your canine can get tired of receiving the very same deal with each time he does an excellent job. So, don’t be afraid to combine up the treats you employ infrequently.

Simply bear in mind to maintain any meals allergic reactions, intolerances, or treatment interactions in thoughts when making your alternative.

For Extra Exact Marking: A Clicker

A clicker is helpful for instructing and training behaviors like those within the leisure protocol, and might help pace your canine’s studying and retention for different new behaviors too. You don’t have to make use of one, however you’ll need some audible approach to let your canine know when he’s completed every coaching activity on the checklist accurately.

A clicker or verbal marker (“Sure!”) lets your canine know precisely when he’s completed an excellent job, he’s about to get a kind of tasty treats you’ve obtained, and he can take a little bit break from all of the psychological calisthenics he’s been doing.

Calm Nook: A Mat Your Canine Can Lay On

A spot mat is one other useful piece of apparatus for the comfort protocol, because it’ll assist your canine affiliate a set spot or space together with his leisure time.

The mat needn’t be something fancy — you should buy a mat made particularly for doggos or simply use a shower mat, towel, or small blanket. Your pooch received’t actually care what you employ, so long as it’s comfortable and large enough that he can match his physique onto it.

When you plan on utilizing the mat to assist your canine calm down whereas out in town, be sure that to decide on a mat that’s transportable and simple to fold up.

Whereas training the protocol, your canine will initially be stress-free in a single spot. When you set him as much as observe on his mat, you’ll ultimately transfer the mat to new locations, permitting him to observe in numerous settings and generalize the habits.

Nevertheless, the protocol is supposed to assist your canine be taught to calm down wherever he’s, with or with out props. You may observe the protocol utilizing your canine’s mattress, his crate, or with none devoted location.

Nonetheless, most trainers begin a canine out on a mat, because it normally permits the canine to succeed a lot quicker. Many trainers contemplate Karen Total’s Rest Protocol a type of mat coaching.

If the canine is nice at doing all of the coaching duties on a mat in just a few new locations, I may match by way of the protocol once more with out utilizing a mat. This may assist be sure that he can nonetheless do an excellent job if his mat isn’t obtainable.

Non-compulsory Coaching Gear: A Deal with Pouch

A deal with pouch will not be necessary gear, nevertheless it makes having your treats close by and useful a lot simpler. Utilizing one can even assist a canine get into “coaching mode” for those who make it part of your coaching classes.

When you don’t need to purchase a deal with pouch, simply maintain the treats in a small plastic bag or container.

A Good Canine Leash: A Useful, However Non-compulsory Software

A very good canine leash is helpful gear to have close by as you train the comfort protocol.

Duties like strolling away out of your pooch after which returning to his facet whereas he relaxes can be simpler for those who hook him as much as a tie down (you should buy a purpose-built canine tie down or just safe your canine’s leash to a steady object).

Additionally, for those who’re working by way of the protocol in an unfenced yard or at a park, it’s a good suggestion to have your pooch secured by a leash or an extended line for security.

Nevertheless, it’s completely superb to go sans leash for those who want – particularly in case your canine doesn’t want fairly as a lot steerage and can be capable of comply with your directions for mendacity on the mat with out an excessive amount of effort.

Karen Total’s Rest Protocol Suggestions & Methods for Success

Now that you’ve got some treats and the opposite useful instruments mentioned above, we are able to transfer on to the precise coaching routine.

Karen Total’s leisure protocol was created to assist canines with out leisure abilities uncover how nice and rewarding stress-free could be.

Instructing the comfort protocol is nice for a lot of canines, nevertheless it’s particularly priceless for canines who’ve behavioral points.

Canines who learn to calm down and deal with their caretaker will typically reply higher to different habits modification coaching sooner or later, akin to counter-conditioning or desensitization.

Learn by way of the comfort protocol and ensure all of the directions and coaching duties make sense earlier than you start.

In case your veterinarian or canine coach inspired you to work on the protocol, get in contact with them in case you have questions or issues at any level as you observe.

In case you are embarking on instructing the comfort protocol by yourself, enlisting the assistance of knowledgeable force-free coach is a good suggestion for those who or your canine are having hassle or want some assist.

1. Set up a great “Sit” and “Keep” cue first.

Earlier than starting the protocol, you’ll need to ensure your canine has already discovered two key basis abilities: “Sit” and “Keep.”

Simply ensure your canine is aware of easy methods to do carry out these cues for not less than 15 seconds earlier than you begin engaged on the protocol.

In case your canine adjustments place (lays down) whereas ready in a keep, that’s simply superb, particularly since that place might assist them calm down much more.

Bear in mind, with leisure coaching, you aren’t searching for a stiff, attentive posture. As a substitute, you desire a relaxed demeanor (for canines, this normally means mendacity sideways on a hip).

2. Resolve the way you need to work with the precise plan define.

Every day of the protocol lists about 25 duties to finish. So, you’ll must resolve the way you need to concurrently take care of the coaching and program directions.

You’ve gotten three fundamental choices:

• Some trainers wish to print out the entire thing and observe with every day’s printout close by to allow them to simply write notes.
• Others wish to open the protocol on a pc or pill in order that day’s activity sheet is simple to learn and scroll by way of, maybe with some scratch paper or a pocket book obtainable to take notes on.
• Lastly, homeowners and trainers can use an audio model to keep away from having to take care of papers or a display.

The audio model is a very useful format for a lot of homeowners and trainers. The recording says what every activity is, instances out every habits on the recording (pausing for 15 seconds when the duty asks for a habits to final 15 seconds, and so on.) and saying “Time” when the period habits is full.

This format additionally makes it simple for the coach to pause the recording if vital, or if she desires to provide her canine a launch cue between duties.

3. Progress at a tempo that’s acceptable on your canine.

The protocol encourages you to regulate the pace at which you’re employed by way of the duties. So, be happy to do extra or fewer duties throughout every coaching session, particularly for those who’re working with a pet or a canine with a brief consideration span.

Which means that it could take you greater than 15 days to work by way of the comfort protocol.

Simply be sure that to maintain issues enjoyable! When you and your canine aren’t having fun with your time collectively as you’re employed on it, you might be lacking one of many objectives of the protocol.

Regardless of how rapidly or slowly you go, be sure that your canine can efficiently accomplish all the day’s behaviors earlier than shifting on to the subsequent day’s checklist.

3. Be ready for setbacks.

Issues might not all the time go easily whereas working by way of the protocol. The truth is, you’ll need to look ahead to a part about three to seven days into the method, throughout which your canine’s habits will get a bit worse.

Don’t fear! It is a fairly widespread incidence.

Simply be affected person and stay constant in your strategy. This part will move as your canine realizes that what you’re asking him to do will not be that tough, and that the treats he’s incomes as rewards are definitely worth the effort.

4. Break issues down if it’s essential.

In case your canine is unable to accurately full a selected coaching activity, break tough duties down into smaller, “bite-sized” steps which are simpler on your canine to perform.

As an example, in case your canine can’t lay nonetheless and wait whilst you disappear for 5 seconds and return (one of many steps within the protocol), alter the aim to 1 second.

As soon as your canine can succeed at this new activity, regularly enhance the duty’s problem till your canine is ready to carry out every habits of the protocol accurately.

5. Do your greatest to calm down whereas training the protocol.

Your canine will typically take his cues from you, and for those who stay calm, it is going to encourage your pooch to stay calm too.

The truth is, one vital factor that training the protocol will train your canine is that your calm habits is a nonverbal cue for him to calm down as nicely.

6. Look ahead to indicators of stress in your canine.

As a result of the aim of this course of is to show your him to calm down and stay calm, you have to monitor your doggo for any indicators of stress.

A number of the most typical indicators of stress embrace the next:

• Retracted lips
• Dilated pupils
• Lowered head
• Ears held down and again
• “Scanning” habits
• Tail tucking
• Whining

Make sure to brush up in your canine physique language abilities in order that you understand what to maintain an eye fixed out for when coaching!

When you notice any of those indicators, attempt to wrap up your session rapidly and finish on a great notice by asking for a easy, simple habits.

Whereas the aim of this train is to calm down, chilling out will not be simple for all doggos. It’d take some observe for them to loosen up!

Additionally, in case your canine is having hassle staying targeted, or he’s beginning to have problem succeeding at an rising variety of the duties, it could be time to finish the session positively.

Then, play a favourite sport for a couple of minutes or feed him a meal.

7. Apply in other places and environments.

After you have labored your means by way of the comfort protocol from starting to finish, you possibly can begin to observe it in new places. This may assist your canine generalize (be taught to use the teachings discovered in numerous conditions).

Selecting spots all through your home, in your yard, and in different new places will assist your canine be extra profitable extra typically.

One other vital means to assist your canine generalize is to observe with different relations so he can carry out all the protocol duties in the event that they ask him to.

Simply be sure that the brand new conditions aren’t too tough — add distractions regularly and in such a means that your canine can be prone to succeed.

Set him up for achievement!

What Kinds of Issues Does the Rest Protocol Handle?

In a traumatic world, caring for a canine who relaxes extra appears like an excellent thought! Nevertheless, some canines with particular habits points will profit greater than the typical pooch from studying easy methods to relax and calm down through the protocol.

Hyperactivity & Overarousal

Some canines appear to be so energetic and exuberant on a regular basis that it looks like they by no means sit nonetheless. Canines with most of these behaviors are generally known as hyperactive or hyperkinetic.

In contrast, canines who get extraordinarily enthusiastic about any variety of issues, akin to an individual approaching them or being petted, after which have hassle calming again down are sometimes known as overaroused.

Canines labelled as both of these items typically show some particular behaviors:

• They exhibit excessive vitality ranges.
• They’re simply distracted.
• They fidget and transfer round loads.
• They’re impulsive.
• They’ve a tough time calming themselves.

The comfort protocol’s sequence of duties retains busy canines guessing. They ultimately notice that they don’t know precisely when the duty they’re engaged on can be full and once they can transfer on to doing one thing extra energetic or thrilling.

However, the additional alongside they get as they observe the protocol’s duties, the extra they be taught that the stress-free itself is nice and rewarding.

Fearfulness & Anxiousness

Some canines are brimming with anxious vitality or fearful habits. This sense could be brought on by new or unfamiliar conditions, however some canines are afraid of acquainted conditions or sounds they encounter whereas at residence as nicely.

Canines residing fearful lives are sometimes harassed, and instructing anxious canines easy methods to calm down might help cut back the concern and stress they really feel.

Fearful and anxious canines typically exhibit behaviors akin to:

• Trembling or shaking
• Drooling
• Hiding
• Tail tucking
• Escape habits
• Panting
• Pacing
• Urination/defecation
• Whale eye
• Crouching
• Yawning or lip licking
• Lifting a paw
• Growling

Instructing anxious and fearful canines easy methods to first calm down of their residence by engaged on the comfort protocol could be life-changing for the canines and their individuals.

As soon as a canine has discovered easy methods to calm down in acquainted settings, points akin to separation anxiousness and noise phobias are sometimes simpler to deal with (typically through desensitization and counter-conditioning).

When canines show fearful or anxious habits, these emotions typically have deep roots within the canine’s life, and a few canines are susceptible to these emotions due to their genetic make-up.

Which means that whereas fearful canines can learn to calm down and really feel much less afraid of the issues that scare them, altering these emotions would require constant, constructive coaching experiences.

Separation anxiousness and different fears that canines have referring to being alone could be labored on extra efficiently after finishing a coaching program like the comfort protocol.

One of many duties that’s launched early on in the course of the protocol’s observe is strolling away out of your canine and returning after just a few seconds.

Whereas this may increasingly not seem to be an enormous accomplishment, serving to canines perceive that they are often away from their individuals for any size of time is a good way to assist them perceive that their individuals will all the time come again to them.

Reactivity & Focus Points

Canines who hyperfocus on individuals or animals, in addition to those that show reactive behaviors in social conditions can typically profit from training the comfort protocol.

Reactive canines typically exhibit intense habits as a result of they really feel highly effective emotional responses to their triggers. Sadly, these reactions are often interpreted as aggression.

Canines who’re having hassle specializing in their homeowners as a result of they’re hyperfocused on their set off stimuli typically profit from extra constructive socialization experiences. That is very true if they will be taught to calm down whereas socializing.

Fortunately, studying easy methods to calm down utilizing the comfort protocol is a good place to begin to assist canines with these points.

Canines who’re being reactive or can’t focus in social conditions typically exhibit behaviors like:

• Intense distraction
• Lack of ability to take treats (or might take treats too roughly)
• Barking
• Leaping
• Lunging
• Snarling

Since these habits patterns can look and sound intense, working with knowledgeable force-free coach is a good thought if you wish to err on the facet of warning. And doing so can be useful for each your canine and the individuals and animals which may be triggering him.

What for those who go someplace new to observe the protocol’s coaching duties, however your canine has hassle succeeding? Attempt to discover a place to observe that’s much less distracting.

If this isn’t doable, cut back the extent of distraction on your canine by including distance between him and the distractions till he is ready to succeed.

Additionally, ask for transient, simple duties and maintain your coaching classes quick and candy if you first take Rover’s leisure present on the street.

Why Is the Rest Protocol so Useful and Widespread with Trainers?

Karen Total’s leisure protocol is a wonderful piece of the coaching puzzle for a lot of canines and the individuals who share their lives.

There are a number of causes the protocol is especially useful, however three of an important embrace:

• Since canines from totally different behavioral backgrounds can be taught to do the protocol, it provides homeowners and trainers a great baseline from which to begin, irrespective of their final coaching objectives.
• Working towards the protocol additionally improves the human-dog bond, because it encourages numerous nice, rewarding interactions.
• It additionally helps canines get rewarded constantly and often for his or her onerous work, which will increase the reinforcement historical past that they’ve with the behaviors practiced. This makes it simpler for a canine to carry out these behaviors accurately when cued, for the reason that extra success he has had, the extra possible he can be to succeed.

Karen Total’s Rest Protocol: Dos and Don’ts

Along with the information and tips outlined above, there are few belongings you’ll need to do, in addition to just a few belongings you’ll need to keep away from doing whereas working by way of the protocol.

The Dos:

• Apply for an period of time that’s enjoyable and productive for you and your canine. You will notice extra progress with quick, constant observe classes than occasional marathon classes. When you ever discover your canine’s success fee or consideration span beginning to drop throughout a coaching session, ask for a straightforward habits and finish your observe with a hit.
• All the time “pay” your canine for doing good work. A part of training the comfort protocol is constructing a constructive, trusting relationship along with your canine, and treats are a good way to assist maintain your canine engaged and motivated whereas the 2 of you observe and be taught one thing new collectively.
• Give the comfort protocol an opportunity to make a distinction by training recurrently and following the directions supplied with the protocol. Conduct modification coaching utilizing constructive reinforcement might not change your whole canine’s downside behaviors in a single day, however the adjustments it makes slowly over time are helpful and long-lasting.

The Don’ts

• Don’t chastise or punish your canine. This protocol is supposed to construct a constructive, trusting relationship between you and your canine, and anytime he’s apprehensive that he may get in hassle for making a mistake, his studying capabilities go down. Concentrate on and reward his successes and ignore his errors (however be prepared to regulate a tough activity’s aim so he’s extra prone to succeed subsequent time).
• Don’t skip any of the components. The comfort protocol is organized in such a means that simple and tougher duties are interspersed in every day’s activity checklist. The tough duties regularly enhance your canine’s abilities, and the simple duties assist maintain your canine enthusiastic about his successes.