Why Teaching Your Dog to Settle Is Essential (and Why It Doesn't Always Come Naturally)

When people dream about having a dog, they often imagine peaceful moments—sitting in a coffee shop with their dog lying quietly at their feet, relaxing on the couch after a long day, or having friends over without chaos. But for many dogs, this calm, "settled" behavior doesn’t come naturally. It’s a skill — and like any skill, it needs to be taught and practiced.

Teaching your dog how to settle is one of the most important things you can do for their well-being (and your sanity). In this post, we’ll dive into why settling matters, why it’s not instinctive for every dog, and how crate training and place work are crucial tools for building this life skill.

Why Settling Matters

A dog who knows how to settle can:

• Relax in stimulating environments

• Manage their own arousal levels

• Be included in more parts of your life (instead of being crated or gated off)

• Handle stress and new experiences better

Settling builds emotional resilience. Instead of reacting to every little thing — a doorbell, a new person, a squirrel outside the window — a settled dog learns to pause, breathe, and stay calm. It lays the foundation for a dog who can handle real life, not just a controlled training session.

Why It Doesn't Come Naturally

While some dogs seem to have an "off switch" built in, many do not. This is especially true for:

• Young dogs and puppies

• High-drive working breeds

• Dogs with anxiety or hypervigilance

• Dogs from poor breeding who struggle with self-regulation

Energy, alertness, and even impulsiveness were traits that served dogs well historically. But in our modern world, dogs need to unlearn some of these instincts and be taught how to choose calmness when appropriate.

If your dog struggles to settle, it’s not because they're "bad" or "too wild." It's because you haven't yet taught them what settling looks like and how good it feels.

Place Work: Teaching "Relax Here"

One of the best ways to teach a dog to settle is through place work.

Place means teaching your dog to go to a defined spot (like a raised cot, bed, or mat) and stay there until released. It’s not a command to sit stiffly in one position—it’s about relaxing within boundaries.

Done well, place work teaches dogs:

• To "turn off" even when there's life happening around them

• To build duration and patience

• That calmness earns freedom and rewards

At first, your dog might find it hard. They might whine, fidget, or even jump off. That’s normal! Staying calm takes mental effort. Over time, with consistent practice, dogs begin to naturally slip into a more relaxed state once they go to their place.

Key Tip: Make sure you reward calm behaviors on place, not just the act of getting there. If your dog lays down, sighs, or shifts into a more restful posture, quietly reward them. You're shaping a mindset, not just a location.

Crate Training: Building Calm Foundations

Crate training is another powerful tool for teaching settling. A crate is not a punishment; it's a safe, controlled environment where your dog can learn to self-soothe without constant external stimulation.

When introduced properly, the crate teaches dogs:

• Independence and confidence when alone

• How to move from active to restful states

• That being confined isn’t scary, it’s safe

Short periods of downtime in a crate after play, training, or meals help young dogs learn that rest is part of life. They don’t need to entertain themselves 24/7. The crate becomes like a toddler’s nap time: structured quiet time that promotes healthy development.

Important: Never use the crate only when you're upset or need a break from bad behavior. Make it a positive space your dog happily enters on their own, with treats, chews, or a comfy bed.

Settling Isn’t "One and Done"

Teaching settling isn’t a one-week project. It’s a daily practice, woven into life:

• Structured downtime after exercise

• Place work during busy times at home

• Crate rest even when you're home (not just when you leave)

• Calm praise and rewards for self-initiated relaxation

The payoff is huge. A dog who knows how to settle can be a joy at home, at breweries, on vacations, and even at your friend’s dinner party. More importantly, they can handle the ups and downs of life without constant stress.

Final Thoughts

A settled dog isn't just a well-trained dog; it's a confident, content dog.

So if your dog can’t seem to "turn off," don’t get frustrated. Instead, roll up your sleeves and help them learn the art of stillness. Through place work, crate training, and structured calm time, you’re giving your dog one of the greatest gifts possible: peace of mind.