In this episode, Casey and Ferdie explores how to teach relaxation as an essential skill for pet dogs to learn in the modern world. We discuss:

• Obedience vs relaxation training
• Body language that helps clients recognize a truly relaxed dog vs one who may appear calm and quiet but isn't relaxed
• Preparing and executing relaxation exercises
• A comparison of different relaxation exercises
• "Relaxation Sandwiches" and the "Fulfillment Funnel"

Casey Matthews (Lomonaco), KPA CTP, FDM, FFCP (Trainer) is a behavior consultant at Behavior Vets. Casey has spent over two decades helping dogs and their families live more joyfully together. Casey started her training career operating Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, New York. She has also served as the Director of Behavior and Training Programs at two different animal shelters in upstate New York. In addition to training, Casey has contributed to numerous print and online publications about dog behavior and training as both an editor and an author, including Dogster, Dog Star Daily, Karen Pryor Clicker Training, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, and The Huffington Post. Casey is a former Board member for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and has presented at numerous workshops and shelters throughout the country. In her spare time, Casey enjoys knitting, playing video games, cooking, watching sports, or snuggling and playing games with her Senior Chow mix, Austin.

Learn more about Casey here.

Links:
Stressed Out to Chilled Out - Canine Relaxation (self-paced course)

Really Real Relaxation Protocol by Suzanne Clothier

Dr. Karen Overall Protocol for Relaxation

Chill Out Fido by Nan Arthur

Fired Up, Frantic, and Freaked Out by Laura VanArendonk Baugh

Relaxation demo by Bobbie Bhambree

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