Calm Your Dog: 7 Words a Trainer Says Can Help

A trainer quoted in an AOL article lists seven words that, when paired with calm tone, relaxed body language and consistent associations, can help redirect a dog's attention and lower arousal.

An AOL article describes seven words a professional trainer says can help calm dogs when those cues are paired with consistent associations. Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, is quoted explaining that dogs link words, tones and gestures to actions through pattern recognition. The piece stresses that words alone are not enough and that calm tone, relaxed body language and practice in low-stress situations matter. It highlights common cues owners use to interrupt rising arousal or redirect attention. What the article reports: - Dogs link specific words, tones and gestures to actions through associative learning, according to Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA. - The seven words or cues cited include a dog’s name, a place cue (for example, bed or mat), “walk,” “find it,” “sit,” “crate,” and calm praise such as “good boy” or “good girl.” - The article emphasizes using a soft, gentle tone and relaxed body language to help regulate a dog’s nervous system. - “Sit” is noted as a useful redirect but the article warns that a sitting dog is not always internally calm. - “Crate” is presented as a calming cue only when the crate is a safe, non-punitive space for the dog. Summary: The article reports that these words can help regulate a dog’s stress response when they are consistently paired with positive outcomes, calm tone and appropriate body language. Undetermined at this time.