If you’ve ever wished your dog could just… chill? Without constantly demanding attention, jumping on guests, or turning into a tornado at the door? There’s a ridiculously simple training technique we use all day at TWP that works like magic.
It’s called tethering, and it might be the easiest “training” you’ll ever do.
What Is Tethering?
Tethering is having your dog on leash in the house while you go about your life. That’s it. No commands, no talking to them, no petting. Just… coexistence.
Sounds too simple to work, right? But here’s the thing – it teaches your dog one of the most valuable life skills they can learn: how to just BE calm around you without being needy or demanding.
The Three Types of Tethering (And When to Use Each)
1. Holding the Leash
While you’re sitting and watching TV or working, simply hold your dog’s leash. They learn to settle near you without demanding attention. They figure out that being calm gets them the privilege of hanging with you.
2. Standing on the Leash
Literally put your foot on the leash while they lay down. This teaches them to settle even when life is happening around them. This is absolute gold when you have guests over or during dinner parties.
3. Back Tethering
Tie the leash to something sturdy like a table leg. This helps dogs who can’t quite handle full freedom yet. They learn to relax in one spot without you having to constantly manage them. Think of it like crate training but with more freedom to move around.
The Rules Are Dead Simple
- Practice 1-2 times a day for 20 minutes (after exercise works best)
- No talking to your dog during tethering
- If they nudge or jump, use the leash to move them away
- Let them choose to sit, stand, or lay down – no commands
That’s literally it.
When Tethering Really Shines
Door Drama: If your dog goes nuts when someone’s at the door, tether them and practice door approaches until it becomes boring.
Guest Visits: Keep them tethered when guests arrive (and have guests ignore your dog for the first few minutes). Watch how quickly they learn that calm = inclusion in the party.
Daily Life: During your morning coffee, evening Netflix time, or whenever you’re trying to work from home. Basically any time you want your dog near you but not ON you.
Why This Actually Works
Dogs are social creatures – they want to be near us. Tethering uses this natural desire as the reward. When they learn that calm behavior keeps them close and pushy behavior creates distance, they choose calm.
No treats needed. No complicated commands. Just the simple consequence of their choices.
The whole point is teaching your dog that calm behavior is what keeps them included in family life. Pushy, demanding behavior? That gets them moved away.
Getting Started
Try it for a week. Start with just 20 minutes while you’re doing something relaxing. Remember – this is supposed to be lazy training. You’re literally just existing in the same space.
If your dog struggles with it at first, that’s actually a sign it’s exactly what they need. The dogs who fight tethering the most are usually the ones who benefit from it the most.
The Bottom Line
We spend thousands of dollars on training tools, classes, and gadgets to create calmer dogs. But sometimes the most powerful training happens when we’re doing absolutely nothing at all.
Tethering works because it’s not about making your dog DO something. It’s about teaching them how to just BE.
And honestly? Once they get it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this simple trick.
