Field Guide · Glossary
Off-switch
Skills and cuesA dog's ability to come down from an excited or aroused state to a settled one without being managed into it.
How it works
Some dogs arrive with a good one and some do not, and the difference is often mistaken for temperament when it is largely trainable. It is built mostly by paying attention to calm that was not asked for: noticing a dog who has settled on their own and quietly reinforcing it, rather than only ever interacting when something is happening. Arousal also takes time to fall, so a dog who has just been running will not settle instantly however well trained they are.
What it looks like
A dog comes in from a game in the yard and paces. The household ignores the pacing and drops a treat beside them the moment they lie down. Over several weeks the gap between coming inside and lying down shortens from ten minutes to under one.
Commonly confused with
- Impulse control
- An off-switch is coming down from arousal in general. Impulse control is holding still while wanting one specific thing. A dog can wait beautifully for a bowl and still be unable to settle after a game.
Related terms
Gear that helps
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Lick mat
Spread something soft and the licking settles an anxious dog. We use them for bath time, nail trims, and vet visits.
Kong Classic (multiple sizes)
The workhorse of enrichment. Stuff it, freeze it, and it buys you a quiet hour. We reach for it for crate time and alone-time practice.
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