Most owners focus on “doing” with their dogs — sit, down, heel, recall, tricks, play, fetch, training drills. And while all of that has huge value, the most underrated skill you can ever give your dog is the ability to simply… do nothing. Why? Because life isn’t constant stimulation.Your dog needs to learn how to switch off, settle, and be calm in everyday environments. If you skip this, you’ll end up with a dog that demands attention, struggles with over-arousal, and can’t relax unless they’re being entertained. Think about it: - Waiting at the pub or café. - Hanging out while guests are over. - Resting during downtime in the house. - Staying calm in the car. A dog that can “do nothing” in these moments is a dog that’s easy to live with. It’s not about teaching them another fancy behaviour — it’s about giving them the ability to self-regulate. And that only comes through practice. Structured place work, longer duration leash work, and rewarding calm behaviour are where this starts. So don’t just train action… train stillness.That’s the secret to a balanced, adaptable dog. Ollie