Week 3 :The Power of Calm – Why Rest Matters as Much as Training

Calmness is key to confident, focused gundogs. Learn how rest, short sessions, and observation build better training foundations.

🍁 Blog: The Power of Calm – Why Rest Matters as Much as Training

Autumn can feel exciting for dogs — the scent, the birds, the changing world under their paws. But even the most enthusiastic gundog needs calm moments to process, learn, and grow.

This week in our “A Year in the Life of a Gundog – From Field to Firelight” series, we’re exploring why calmness and rest are just as important as training itself.

🐶 Why Calm Matters

Dogs, especially puppies and young gundogs, can become overstimulated if pushed too hard. Over-arousal can lead to:

Forgetting learned behaviours
Becoming bitey or excitable
Losing focus and confidence

Short, calm sessions are far more effective than long, frantic ones. Calmness helps your dog:

Process what they’ve learned
Build confidence in new environments
Strengthen focus and recall

🌿 Practical Tips for Building Calm

Short sessions: 5–10 minutes of training, repeated throughout the day, is better than a long, exhausting hour.
Observation walks: Let your dog sniff and explore, but watch for signs of over-arousal. Reward calm attention.
Relaxation cues: Teach your dog to lie down and settle before rewarding or ending a session.
Balance play and rest: After high-energy exercises, allow a calm wind-down before next session.

💡 Work With the Dog You Have Today

Not every day will be perfect. Some dogs are tired, distracted, or simply not in the mood. Adjust your expectations, reward effort, and keep sessions positive. This approach builds trust and long-term focus.

❤️ Final Thought

Calmness is a superpower for any gundog. By respecting your dog’s need to rest and balance activity with quiet time, you’ll build a confident, attentive, and happy dog — ready for the exciting work ahead.

Next week, we’ll look at “Cold Game Foundations – Building Confidence Step by Step” — helping dogs approach new experiences with curiosity and courage.

Categories: : Autumn Series