A Calmer Dog Starts With a Regulated Nervous System

As the year winds down, a lot of us feel that familiar end of year intensity. Busy schedules, holiday plans, extra stimulation, and less downtime. When life speeds up, our dogs often feel it too.

If you’ve been thinking, “There is no way my dog can chill out right now,” we get it. Truly. Many of the dog training clients we work with come to us feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure how to create calm at home.

Here’s the theme we saw again and again this year in training sessions and in the homework plans we built with our clients: nervous system regulation

Not perfect obedience. Not forcing calm. Teaching your dog how to settle, and supporting them with the structure and tools that make calm possible.

This is not always easy, but it is absolutely doable. It starts by keeping things simple.

If you’re a current training client, our first recommendation is to go back to your step-by-step homework sheets. Those plans are personalized to you, your dog and the life you live.  They’re there for moments exactly like this.

If you’re not a client yet, or if even looking back at homework feels like too much right now, here are a few supportive basics you can come back to anytime.

1. Return to routine

When dogs feel chaotic, routines create safety.

A rhythm we love (and use with many clients) looks like this:

Potty
Movement or play
Food
Rest

That’s it. Simple, repeatable, and calming for the nervous system.

Even if your timing isn’t perfect, consistency matters. If you need help delegating within your household, friends or neighbors, or leaning on your pet care team for support, we highly recommend asking for help (even though it doesn’t feel easy). Predictability is one of the fastest ways to help a dog start to settle again.

2. Place training: building an off switch

Place training gives your dog a clear, consistent “job” that is not chaotic.

A “place” can be a mat, bed, or ideally a raised cot. In our experience, cots can be extra helpful because the boundary is more defined. Dogs often understand it faster because it feels like a clearly marked space.

Place training supports nervous system regulation by teaching your dog:

• where to go when they’re feeling big feelings

• how to settle near you without constantly engaging

• how to build calm into daily life

If your dog is new to place, start with small time increments and work up to longer periods of time and distraction slowly. If you’ve trained with us before, go back to the earliest steps in your homework sheets. That foundation is gold.

If you want help setting it up the right way for your home and your dog, this is something we can absolutely support you with.

3. Movement that creates connection, not more chaos

Exercise matters, AND not all movement helps the nervous system.

One tool our team trainer Megan uses often is pattern walking. This is where you teach your dog to move with you in sync, including turns and simple patterns (we sometimes refer to this as figure eights). The goal is not distance. The goal is regulation.

Pattern walking can help because it:

• gets your dog using their brain

• creates a steady, predictable flow

• helps your dog orient to you instead of scanning for everything else

• can be more fulfilling than a chaotic neighborhood walk

This can be especially helpful if you live in an area of Asheville where walks can include surprise dogs, tight sidewalks, exciting smells, and a lot of stimulation.

If your dog has truly reliable recall and you’ve earned that off leash freedom together, an off leash hike can be an incredible regulating outlet. The key is partnership and safety, not just letting them roam without guidance. Remember, please share the forest responsibly and respectfully of others.

4. Play that fulfills your dog

Play is part of movement, and it can be a powerful outlet when it’s the right kind of play for your dog. Think of play as a way to meet your dog’s breed needs and give your dog an appropriate release.

A few examples:

• Flirt pole can be amazing for dogs who love chase and movement, and can be a great fit for many herding type dogs when used thoughtfully.

• Tug can be an excellent regulating game for many dogs, including stronger, more physical breeds.

If your dog doesn’t play with toys, that’s okay. Some dogs need help learning how to engage with play, and some need different styles of play to feel fulfilled. We can help you identify what works best for your dog.

Training Tip: During play, put a pause between the impulsive behaviors.  For example, If your dog jumps up at the toy between tug sessions or chases after the flirt pole right after dropping it, ask for a sit or down stay before releasing them to start another round.

5. Keep it simple: pick one thing

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you do not need a full overhaul.

Choose one tool:

• a simple daily routine

• slowly working up to longer place training duration

• a short pattern walk

• one fulfilling play session

Small, consistent practices are what create real change over time.

If you’re looking for a dog trainer in Asheville

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like calm feels out of reach, we’re here. Our approach is practical, supportive, and rooted in building a more peaceful life with your dog.

We can help you build a customized plan using these tools and teach you how to use them in a way that fits your real day-to-day.