Giving your Dog R.E.S.T.โข๏ธ is a proven process for rehabilitating difficult dogs and laying the perfect rock solid foundation for service dogs
However, more and more trainers are posting about nervous system regulation as though that's all that matters
Don't be confused. Regulating a canine nervous system is a step in the process... it takes about a week, and then you have to build on that from there
I hate when I see trainers advertising 2 week board and trains for reactive dogs
Talking about how they are going to lay you a foundation...
Sorry but... that's not how it works.
No one can regulate your dog's nervous system but you, in your home.
It doesn't matter if your dog trainer can do it...
But don't let them trick you into thinking it's all that hard... in fact it's easy
Crate your dog overnight + 6-8 hours during the day
Follow the Leader + Forced Follow walk 60-90min daily
Permission for resources and at thresholds
Enhanced Nutrition
Nail trims and bathing
These things alone are all it takes to start to see a major difference
You don't even need tools to really get this (although they make it WAY easier to integrate which is why we use them)
That said I see a ton of trainers doing this part and then heading to home depot in week 2 and that breaks my heart ๐๐ญ
Because so many things have to happen between regulating the dogs nervous system and taking them out into the world so they feel more calm and confident about it When you do...
2 weeks is way too long for nervous system regulation.
And 2 weeks is not enough to start focusing on advanced socialization or advanced offleash work either...
that literally undoes the regulated nervous system almost immediately... trying to rush results to impress clients while doing serious damage to dogs and just extending the timeline for healing...
When you want to reset your Foundations the right way
1. Do it yourself
2. Do it at home
3. Do it using a proven program
4. Don't rush i