Chin Rest
A chin rest is super helpful for teaching our animal stillness. They can be laying down, sitting, or standing while keeping their chin resting in your palm or on another surface. It’s also a great way for your pet to opt into handling. They are agreeing to stay still.
How To
🐾What you need: a handful of tiny treats or bits of food, your hand
Hold a treat in one hand with your pet in front of you.
Place your other hand, palm up, just under your pet’s chin.
As they shift forward slightly to get to the treat, you’ll feel some weight shift into the hand under the chin. Mark and treat. Repeat a few times.
Gradually fade out the treat lure by making a similar gesture with a now empty hand.
As you feel the weight shift, mark and feed a treat from out of your treat pouch or container. Repeat several times.
Eventually, we’ll increase duration by having the dog hold the position for just an extra half second at a time.
Watch Points
Some pets may find the weight-shifting uncomfortable as they recover from surgery. Be sure to use lots of breaks and let them change positions.
Some pets may not like putting their face into your hand. That’s okay! You can teach the same motion with them placing their chin on a pillow or seat of a chair.
Be sure holding the chin rest is not at the expense of your pet being able to pant and breathe comfortably.