Kroki

Question · Dog

How do I teach my dog to settle?

The short answer

Start by catching calm that already happens: whenever your dog lies down and relaxes, place a treat between its paws without a word. Then give calm a home, such as a mat with a long-lasting chew, and pay for soft, slow body language rather than for staying put. Build up from quiet evenings at home to visitors and cafés. A dog that cannot settle at all may be in pain or anxious. Kroki, a reward-based training app for puppies and dogs, includes relaxing on a mat and relaxing outdoors.

How to do it, step by step

  1. Check the basics of the day

    A grown dog needs plenty of sleep, a sniffy walk, something to chew and a quiet place to rest. A dog that is bored or always on the go finds it harder to switch off, and so does one that never gets undisturbed rest.

  2. Catch the calm you already get

    Keep treats in a pot within reach. Whenever your dog lies down on its own, sighs or rests its head, walk over slowly and place a treat between its paws. Say nothing and walk away. Calm starts to pay.

  3. Give calm a place

    Put a mat or blanket where your dog likes to rest. Reward it for lying there, then add a chew or lick mat so the place itself becomes relaxing. This is not a stay exercise; your dog may get up any time.

  4. Pay for relaxed body language

    Reward a dog that shifts onto one hip, lays its head down or lets its eyes go soft. Pay slowly and calmly, perhaps with a long gentle stroke, so you don’t wake it up again with your reward.

  5. Add a quiet cue

    Once your dog lies down on the mat within seconds, say “Settle” softly as it goes down. Practise in the evening, when it is already a little tired, before you try it during busier moments.

  6. Take it out into the world

    In a café or at a friend’s house, sit somewhere quiet at the edge, put the mat down with a chew and keep your dog on a loose lead. Start with five minutes and leave while it is still calm.

Your dog is still a puppy?

A young puppy that races round and nips often just needs a nap. Puppies are awake only for short stretches, so the plan is about rest routines and a cosy rest place rather than a cue. The puppy page explains how to spot overtiredness and plan naps.

What studies suggest about rest and calm

Rest after training seems to help learning stick. In a study with adult pet dogs, those that slept, went for a walk or played after learning a new cue performed better a week later, while dogs that went straight on to a new learning task did not improve (Kis and colleagues 2017). So ending a session with a settle on the mat is not wasted time.

How you reward calm matters too. Dogs stayed much longer close to a person who stroked them than to one who only praised them, and praise alone drew them no closer than no attention at all (Feuerbacher and Wynne 2015). For many dogs, a slow stroke and a quietly placed treat say “well done” without winding them up the way an excited voice can.

Tricks to force calm, such as pinning a dog down or using spray or shock collars, may look quick but come at a price. A review found that aversive methods can harm dogs’ physical and mental health, with no evidence that they work better than rewards (Ziv 2017).

Dogs that find settling hard

  • Adolescent dogs: between about six months and two years many dogs are restless. Short settles, often, work better than long ones.
  • Working breeds: give the brain a job first, such as a sniffing game or food search, then ask for a settle.
  • Rescue dogs: a dog that has lived in a kennel may never have learned to relax in a home. Give it a quiet corner and lots of time.
  • Older dogs: night-time pacing, panting or restlessness can come from pain or other health changes, so see the vet first.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to tire a restless dog out with ever longer runs. It becomes fitter, not calmer.
  • Waking your dog with a loud “Good boy!” the moment it lies down. Reward quietly.
  • Turning settle into a long stay with release cues. The goal is relaxation, not stillness.
  • Only practising when guests are at the door. Start in boring moments and build up.

When to see a professional

Restlessness is not always a training issue. See a professional if:

  • your dog paces, pants, cannot lie comfortably, licks one spot a lot or is restless at night, especially if this is new

    Have a vet take a look

  • your dog cannot relax when left alone, trembles at noises, or is so wound up that it snaps at people or other pets

    Get support from professionals

The help pages list services in Germany, Austria and Switzerland only. Elsewhere, ask your vet practice who they recommend near you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between settle and stay?

Settle means relax, while stay means don’t move until released. A settling dog may shift, stretch or change position as long as it stays calm.

How long does it take to teach a dog to settle?

It depends on the dog: some relax on a mat within a few days, while busy or young dogs need weeks of short practice. Calm is a habit that grows with repetition.

Why won’t my dog settle in the evening?

Many dogs are restless in the evening because the house is busy, they had too little rest or too much excitement. A calm chew on the mat after dinner often helps.

Should I use a lead to help my dog settle?

In public a loose lead on the mat can help, because it keeps your dog close without you holding it back. At home most dogs learn better without one.

Do calming chews or sprays help a restless dog?

Some owners find them helpful, but they don’t replace rest, exercise and training. Ask your vet before using supplements, especially if your dog takes medication.

How do I settle my dog when visitors come?

Practise the settle with a chew before visitors arrive, and have guests ignore your dog at first. If it cannot calm down, give it a break in a quiet room with a chew.

Sources