The Settle Drill

Want to practice calm on purpose? Tether your dog to a sturdy furniture leg on a short leash, hand them a chew toy, and sit nearby with a book.

There is a formal version of this, built by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall. It teaches the dog to hold a relaxed down on a mat while you do increasingly distracting things — step away, clap, sit, open a door.