Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too!
This week, we’re continuing our series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’re taking the concepts you hear us talk about all the time, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your everyday training. This time, Karen and Alice are taking the reins to explore Arousal Up, Arousal Down - a skill we often refer to as a Dimmer Switch.
Does your dog go from zero to 100 at the slightest excitement? A knock at the door, a visitor arriving or another dog appearing on a walk can be enough to send some dogs into overdrive. And once they're up there, getting back to calm can be a real challenge! Listen in as Alice and Karen chat about how we can help our dogs regulate their energy and respond more appropriately to whatever life throws their way.
We'll explore why some dogs seem to have just two settings – completely chilled or absolutely bouncing off the walls – and how games-based training can help them discover all those useful energy levels in between.
You'll discover how simple changes to games you're already playing can make a big difference. From speeding up and slowing down games like Orientation Game to using Boundary Games and gentle scent-based activities, Alice and Karen share practical ways to help your dog learn to adjust their energy gradually.
And the best part? You can practise this concept during everyday activities, including your usual walks! Small changes in pace can help your dog learn to move smoothly between different energy levels, without needing a whole new training routine.
We'll also explore why this skill matters so much in real life. When dogs become overwhelmed by excitement or worry, they can struggle to think clearly and make good choices. Building a better Dimmer Switch can help with everything from calmer greetings and visitors to more successful interactions with other dogs.
Of course, sometimes high energy is exactly what's needed! The skill we're building is your dog's ability to match their energy to the moment, dial it up when appropriate and bring it back down again.
Ready to help your dog find their Dimmer Switch? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get playing!
