4d • General discussion
Skill-Building: Reinforcing Calm Check-Ins
Some of the most powerful skills don’t look like “training” at all.
Calm check-ins — when your dog voluntarily looks at you, moves toward you, or engages without being asked — are signs of trust, awareness, and regulation.
And they’re absolutely a skill we can build.
What calm check-ins look like
Calm engagement might include:
- A glance in your direction
- Choosing to walk near you
- Sitting or lying down close by
- Checking in during a walk or new environment
- Looking to you before making a choice
No cue required. No pressure.
Why reinforcing these moments matters
When we reinforce calm check-ins, we teach dogs that:
- Engagement is safe and rewarding
- They don’t have to be over-aroused to get attention
- Connection doesn’t require commands
This supports:
- Better focus in distracting environments
- Faster recovery after stress
- Stronger communication over time
How to reinforce throughout the day
You don’t need formal sessions.
Try:
- Quiet praise or a tossed treat when your dog checks in
- Reinforcing eye contact before opening doors
- Rewarding proximity during calm moments
- Noticing and reinforcing disengagement from distractions
Consistency beats intensity.
A gentle reminder
You don’t have to ask for every behavior to reinforce it.
Sometimes the best training happens when your dog chooses you on their own.
💬 When did your dog offer a calm check-in or voluntary engagement today?
Those moments are building something important 💚
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Skill-Building: Reinforcing Calm Check-Ins
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