Training Essentials
The Purpose of Pressure
Pressure is a form of communication used to say no. Dogs use pressure to say what they don’t want. They release pressure to say what they allow. In order to communicate with our dogs, we learn this simple language of Pressure and Release.
Pressure: Applying and Releasing
Pressure
Moving towards (walking forward or putting out your hand in a stop sign motion)
Holding eye contact
Making sounds (verbal “No” or “Eh-Eh”)
Physical pressure (leash or spray bottle)
Release
Stopping motion, moving backwards (drawing the dog toward), sitting down, turning your body to offer your side or back instead of front facing
Disengage direct eye contact, looking down or to the side
Offer silence
Hands to yourself, calm energy
Layering and Holding Pressure
Adding on different types of pressure can increase the intensity if the dog is not responsive to just eye contact for example. Keeping the same amount of pressure while holding duration, can also have the same effect.
It is important to calibrate pressure to your dog’s energy and always follow through until the behavior ceases. Once they cease, release the pressure. Omit any need to affirm or reward in these instances.
Example: The handler asks the dog to get out of the kitchen by saying “Out”, looking directly at the dog, and begins walking forward. If the dog does not yield, the handler can add layers of pressure by increasing pace, adding water spray, or clapping their hands. Once the dog yields the space and moves out of the kitchen, the handler releases pressure and goes back to whatever they were doing. Repeat this exercise and increase pressure if the message is not received.