“Touch” aka Check in 1st step!
Teaching your dog to put their head on your lap is a nice, calm way for them to “check in” with you. Not only does it feel awesome to have your best friend come check on you, but it’s also tactile redirection — encouraging you to focus on your dog instead of overwhelming thoughts! 🧠🚫 Steps to Teach the Head-on-Lap Behavior: 1. Lure onto the leg – Hold a treat and guide your dog’s head so their chin rests on the top of your leg. 2. Mark the moment – As soon as you feel the gentle pressure of their chin, say “Yes!” (or use a clicker) and give the food reward. 3. Reinforce duration – Continue to mark and reward as long as their chin remains on your leg, gradually increasing the time before the next reward.