WORK, PLAY, FREE, and CALM for Better Dog Behaviour
Learn how to focus on the four lifestyle pillars to meeting your dog's needs leads to a calmer, more relaxed pet.
As dog owners, we often find ourselves frustrated with behaviours such as excessive barking, leash pulling, or jumping on guests. Many of these unwanted behaviours arise when a dog’s instinctual needs aren't being met. The good news is that by focusing on four key pillars — PLAY, FREE, CALM, and WORK—you can significantly reduce behavioural issues, often by as much as 80%.
In this post, I’ll break down how each of these pillars contributes to a more fulfilled, well-behaved dog, and offer practical tips you can implement today to start seeing improvements.
Pillar 1: PLAY with Purpose
Engaging your dog in purposeful play is more than just having fun — it’s about meeting their natural instincts and drives. When dogs aren’t provided outlets for these instincts, they can become frustrated, leading to undesirable behaviours like nipping, lunging at scooters or chasing after bicycles.
How to Implement Purposeful PLAY:
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Tailor games to your dog’s breed: For retrievers, focus on retrieval games, while herding breeds enjoy stalking and chasing games.
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Use play to reinforce your bond with your dog. Your value should be the highest compared to any distractions around.
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Keep it structured. Teach your dog to start and stop games on your command to instil impulse control.
Tip: Strong play sessions strengthen your bond, giving you better control over your dog when you need it most.
Pillar 2: FREEdom to Be a Dog
Every dog needs the freedom to express natural behaviours — whether that’s sniffing around, exploring, or simply being a dog. However, freedom should be given within boundaries to ensure safety and good behaviour.
How to Implement FREEdom:
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Allow your dog to engage in species-specific activities, like sniffing during walks or exploring safe areas on a long leash.
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Set clear boundaries so your dog knows when it's time to be free and when it's time to listen.
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Teach your dog to enjoy their freedom responsibly, preventing them from becoming over-excited or unruly.
Tip: Balanced freedom prevents frustration and hyperactivity, reducing behaviours like excessive barking or pulling on the leash.
Pillar 3: CALMness on Demand
Many dogs struggle with overstimulation, which can lead to behaviours like barking at visitors or being unable to settle down in a busy environment. Teaching your dog to relax and have an "off-switch" is essential for their overall well-being.
How to Implement CALM:
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Practice place training or crate training, teaching your dog to settle in a designated spot when instructed.
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Gradually introduce your dog to stimulating environments, like cafes or when guests are over, reinforcing calm behaviour.
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Reward relaxation with calm praises and firm pats, but make sure to time it correctly, so you don’t accidentally reinforce excitement.
Tip: A dog that knows how to stay calm is less likely to overreact in stimulating environments, helping eliminate reactivity and anxiety-driven behaviours.
Pillar 4: WORK for the Brain
Dogs are intelligent animals that thrive on mental challenges. Boredom is often the root cause of destructive or mischievous behaviour. Just like children need schooling, dogs need regular brain work to stay mentally sharp and engaged.
How to Implement WORK:
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Work on leash walking to engage your dog’s brain.
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Keep training sessions short and focused
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Allow your dog time to process what they’ve learned by giving them space without constant instruction.
Tip: Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and a mentally engaged dog is far less likely to develop problem behaviours like chewing, digging, or barking for attention.
Conclusion
When you integrate structured time for WORK, PLAY, FREE, and CALM into your dog’s daily routine, you’re fulfilling their physical, mental, and emotional needs. This balance creates a more satisfied and well-behaved dog, making many of the behaviours you’re struggling with disappear naturally.
If you’d like more personalised guidance on how to implement these pillars in your dog’s routine, I’d love to help. Contact me today to learn more about my training programs designed to bring out the best in your dog.