
17/04/2025
✨Impulse Control: Calm Isn’t Optional✨
So, you’ve got an impulsive dog. Full of beans. Bursting with energy. Can’t sit still for two seconds. And you’re wondering why you’re not making progress?
What you need is structure. Hardcore, intense structure. Oh and a ton of patience.
Right now I’m looking after a golden retriever who’s the poster dog for impulsivity. And from the minute I get up, the structure starts.
First thing in the morning, I sit on the couch in front of his crate. And I wait. He’s whining, panting, bouncing around like a lunatic. But he’s not coming out until he’s completely calm. Not kinda calm, proper calm. That takes about 10 minutes.
Because here’s the deal: he gets no freedom until he’s calm. That rule gets applied to everything we do.
Going for a walk? It’s not just “grab the leash and go.”
Nope. I grab the leash, and I wait. He needs to sit calmly before it goes on.
Every activity is broken down into little steps. If he passes one, we move to the next. If he doesn’t? We wait.
No skipping steps. No rewarding chaos.
This is the kind of discipline and boundary-setting that actually helps an impulsive dog become calm and well-mannered. Not just in training, but in life. Not to mention when you're happy with you're dog because it's well mannered, your bond will deepen and improve because you guys understand one another.
So if you’re dealing with an impulsive dog, remember it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing less, with purpose. Structure is the game changer!