Sessions

1st session: 25-09-2026

• Adjust his food portions based on the amount of food used during training and in interactive toys.

• Increase chewing activities. See the “Recommended Products” article for my suggestions.

• Provide a clear and predictable routine:

→ Offer a more stimulating activity (walk, play, exploration, training).
→ Follow it with a calming activity (chewing activity, snuffle mat, etc.).
→ Then allow for a period of sleep or relaxation.

Alternating between these periods throughout the day can help Finn regulate himself and prevent emotional overload.

To practise :

• Find It: Practise every day to build a strong positive association with this cue. In a few days, you can start practising it outdoors in a low-distraction environment. Vary the treats to keep his interest high.

• Once he responds reliably, gradually add distractions. For example, show him a toy or food, or practise when his attention is focused elsewhere.

• Practise the calm mat exercise. See the handout.

Resource guarding

Please read the resource guarding handout.

• A few times a week, while Finn has a resource, calmly approach him while staying at a distance where he shows no signs of stress. Give the find it signal and toss a high-value treat near him, then walk away without taking anything from him. Repeat 5 times. This helps him learn that your approach does not mean he will lose his resource, but instead predicts something positive.

• Avoid forcibly removing anything from his mouth or unnecessarily disturbing him while he is eating.

• Manage his environment and, if possible, offer his meals and chewing activities in his crate.

• With the ball: If you need to retrieve it, use “Find It” to encourage him to move away from the ball. Once he is calm, pick up the ball. Wait for him to sit before throwing it again.

• Alternate between play and time on his calm mat to help him regulate himself and prevent his arousal level from becoming too high during play.

• Always use “Find It” to encourage Finn to move away if you need to retrieve an object from the floor near him.

• Use “Find It” to encourage him to get off the couch or move away from the counter instead of physically pushing or moving him with your hands.

• Use a baby gate or his calm mat to prevent him from jumping onto the counter while you are in the kitchen.

Walks

• Read the handouts about leash walking.

• In a few days, you can start using “Find It” frequently just for fun during walks, and when needed to help him calm down when he begins showing signs of frustration.

• During our next session, we can go for a walk together and put these exercises into practice.

Feel free to send me a video at (438) 528-2961 if you would like me to observe a behaviour, if you have a question about an exercise, or simply to share Finn’s progress with me.

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