1️⃣ Observe and describe calming signals
For 3 consecutive days, spend 10 minutes a day quietly observing your dog. Choose moments when your dog:
– enters a new environment,
– meets a new person or dog,
– comes back from a walk or starts to get bored.

Task:
Write down 3–5 signals you notice (e.g. licking lips, yawning, turning the head away, freezing, slow movements).
Next to each one, note the situation in which it occurred.
This exercise will help you recognize when your dog is saying “I feel uncertain” — before barking, pulling, or growling begins.



2️⃣ Create and test a daily ritual
Dogs learn through consistency. Create a plan for one calm day with your dog. Include:
– fixed feeding time
– walks at the same hours (at least 2)
– activity time (play, basic training)
– rest time (e.g. after a walk – with a lick mat and relaxing music)

Task:
Test this plan for 2–3 days.
At the end, answer:
– Did your dog calm down faster?
– Was there less overstimulation or barking?
– Was it easier to encourage rest or learning?



3️⃣ Clear rules – starting today
Think about the rules in your home and which ones might be unclear to your dog. Examples:
– Is your dog allowed on the couch?
– Can they ask you to play anytime?
– Do you sometimes ignore leash pulling but other times get angry?

Task:
Choose 2 rules you want to introduce or start enforcing consistently.
Write them down (e.g. on a note on the fridge) and for 5 days:
– communicate them clearly (e.g. instead of yelling, calmly repeat “off” and show an alternative),
– make no exceptions – your dog doesn’t know the difference between Saturday and Monday.

This exercise is the first step toward better cooperation and less stress for your dog — because clarity = safety.