3 Things to Do After a Dog Training Meltdown

Because crying in the hallway isn’t a training strategy (trust me, I’ve been there)

You know those days where everything goes wrong?

You take your dog out, hoping for a chill walk… and 30 seconds in, it’s chaos.

They bark.
Lunge.
Won’t listen.

You’re sweating, flustered, holding back tears, and just trying to make it back to the house without screaming.

And when you get home?
Cue the guilt spiral.

“What am I doing wrong?”
“Why isn’t this getting easier?”
“Am I cut out for this?”

First of all: you’re not alone.
And second: this moment doesn’t define you, or your dog.

Everyone has meltdowns. Yes, even the dog people on Instagram with the perfectly filtered photos and the off-lead heel work. 😉

So let’s talk about what to actually do when it happens.

💛 Step 1: Reset You First, Not the Behaviour

When a training session crashes and burns, your nervous system is likely fried.

You’re in fight-or-flight mode. Your body is tense. Your brain is racing.

Trying to immediately “fix” your dog’s behaviour in that state is like trying to untangle fairy lights while they’re still plugged in. ⚡

Instead, focus on regulating your emotions first.
Why? Because your dog feeds off your energy.
If you stay in stress mode, so will they.

Here’s a simple way to reset:

✨ The 60-Second Anchor Reset:

• Put both feet on the ground

• Inhale slowly for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6

• Name the emotion you’re feeling out loud (yes, really)

• Repeat: “I can come back to calm.”

🧠 Step 2: Replace Guilt with Curiosity

After a meltdown, your brain wants to ruminate:
“I should’ve done X.”
“Why didn’t I see that coming?”
“I’ve ruined everything.”

But here’s the truth: guilt doesn’t create progress, curiosity does.

Instead of spiraling, ask:

• “What was my dog trying to communicate?”

• “What was I feeling right before things got tense?”

• “Was there a pattern I missed, like stress stacking or sensory overload?”

When you shift from shame to insight, you build emotional resilience.
(And bonus: your dog gets a calmer, more attuned version of you next time.)

🐾 Step 3: Choose a Tiny Win to Close the Loop

After a meltdown, it’s tempting to avoid training for days, or overcompensate with a new plan.

But neither extreme helps.

Instead, try this:

End the day with a single, calm interaction.
Something that feels achievable, connection-based, and pressure-free.

Ideas:

• Scatter feed in the garden and sit with a cup of tea

• Do a short “find it” game to engage their brain

• Gently stroke their chest while taking deep breaths together

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to feel good, for both of you.

This is what I call a “relationship repair moment.” It tells your brain, “We’re okay. We’re learning. We’re moving forward.”

Final Thoughts: One Bad Moment Doesn’t Define You

Meltdowns happen.
They are not proof that you’re failing.
They are proof that you’re trying, and that you care.

✨ Progress in dog parenting doesn’t look like perfect behaviour.
It looks like coming back to calm faster… and knowing how to support yourself when things get tough.

That’s what I’m here to help you do.

🎁 Want a Toolkit for These Moments?

Inside the Quick Calm Down Kit, you’ll find:

✔ A 5-minute reset routine for you and your dog to do together

✔ Strategies to move forward with more calm with your dog

✔ A 7-day Relaxation Plan to get your dog started on a path to more calm

✔ Calming activities for high-stress days

It’s like a first aid kit, for your nervous system.

📥 Download it here → lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/quick-calm-down-kit
Your future self (and your dog) will thank you.