How Blissful Glimmers Help Your Dog Live An Amazing Life.

Seeking out glimmers is a fantastic way to help our dogs. A Fun Not Fear® Life would be filled with glimmers by definition.

Photo by Brands&People on Unsplash

What are Glimmers?

We hear a lot of jargon in the dog training world. Many buzz words designed to keep us ever trying to better our learning and our ability to explain concepts to dogparents in ways that they find easy.

Sometimes these words and concepts are a bit “hit and miss” but others are really worth delving into. One of the latest buzz words I keep hearing in dog behaviour circles is “glimmers.”

But what are they?

We all know about triggers. Triggers are things that make other stuff happen. Pull a trigger and a gun fires. You push a button on your phone, this triggers an action like volume increase or going to the “home” screen. Feel a cold breeze, this triggers a shiver.

Triggers are not fundamentally good or bad. But, when we talk of them in behaviour support, we generally mean things that are a source of worry to our dogs. Examples of triggers in this case might be other dogs, or bearded men, or terrifying traffic. Basically a whole pile of anything that causes our dogs to have a negative emotional reaction.

You show a dog a trigger, and they get, erm … triggered.

Triggers are not good for our dog’s mental, and therefore physical, health. Reactions to triggers are what keeps behaviourists like me in work. Trying to find ways to help dogs feel better about the world.

But what of their opposite?

That would be glimmers. Glimmers are like little beams of joy that boost our dogs confidence, happiness and are waaaaaay more fun. Glimmers make life worth living. They can help to solve a range of behavioural issues simply by making our dogs lives more enjoyable.

Just like triggers are individual to each dog, so are glimmers. The dog alone can decide what is triggering and what glimmers.

Why use glimmers?

Glimmers can help your dog by boosting them up from the inside. Mental health plays a massive part in physical health. So, by doing things that help our dogs to feel happy, we can begin to change their entire wellbeing outcomes.

Glimmers can be felt by all living beings. Once we know what an individual’s glimmers are, we can use them to help that individual shine.

Glimmers do not need to be huge displays of celebratory joy. They are small but meaningful cues that happen throughout each day to help our dogs feel happy and safe.

Just as we can manage environments to reduce triggers, we can manage environments to create more glimmers.

No real skill is needed. No lengthy qualifications or courses in behaviour and training. ANYONE can create a glimmer for their dog, simply by knowing what lights their dog up, or what makes them feel relaxed and safe.

Examples of glimmers:

• Familiar Scents of Pleasant Things: The scent of a loving home, a favourite blanket, or even a favourite person can be a glimmer for a dog. These smells bring comfort and a sense of safety, especially when they are unsure. We use the PJ method as part of our Fun Not Fear® Club, teaching dogs to feel relaxed when they smell Pet Remedy spray and similar scents.

• Gentle Touch or Stroking: A soft, consistent stroke on a dog’s favourite spot (like behind the ears or along their back) can serve as a calming glimmer. It reassures them and strengthens the bond between the dog and the person. Not all dogs enjoy touch, so it is important to see how you dog reacts - do they back away slightly, or do they nuzzle in for more?

• Predictable Routines: Knowing what comes next can be comforting for a dog. Routines, like a regular walk at the same time each day or a predictable feeding schedule, can act as glimmers, making them feel secure. Generally we discourage routines if a dogparent can’t stick to them, as they can be a source of distress. But, some routines can be very helpful indeed. Routines like the PJ method mentioned above, or a morning cuddle (if your dog enjoys this,) or anything else you can easily replicate on a daily basis, come rain or shine, can bring a touch of normalcy to otherwise uncertain days.

• Positive Social Interactions: Meeting a friend they like or receiving attention from a trusted person can light up a dog’s day. Social connections are important glimmers for many dogs.

• Pleasant Sounds: Soft music - such as Relax My Dog, gentle voices, or even the sound of nature (like birds or flowing water) can soothe a dog and act as a glimmer, particularly in a peaceful environment.

• Comfortable Spaces: A favourite resting spot, whether it’s a bed, crate, or a sunny patch of floor, provides a sense of safety and security, becoming a glimmer for rest and relaxation. Add in pleasant sounds and the PJ method and you are creating a glimmery haven for your dog.

• Playful Cues: A fun squeaky toy or a favourite ball can be a glimmer for a dog who loves playtime, signalling that joy, fun and engagement are coming their way. Try different toys with your dog - let them choose their favourites. What we think they enjoy, and what they would actually choose to do can be very different so do be mindful of giving them choices.

• Being Outdoors: For many dogs, a familiar park, a favourite walking path, or even just time spent sniffing in the garden can be a natural glimmer that lowers their stress and brings them joy. Use a long line if your dog is not in a space where off-lead is safe, to give them the chance to mooch around doing dog stuff.

• Food and Treats: Treats offered in a positive, stress-free manner can be glimmers, especially if they are associated with fun activities or gentle teaching sessions.
  
  Again, offer them choices to see which things they enjoy the most.
  
  One of my old dogs, Moo, would have sacrificed a limb for a morsel of Bosh! Lemon cake (I’m not recommending that as a dog diet, just for clarity) but had I have forever been shoving bits of ham in his face, and never let him try different things, I would never have known that.
  
  The same food over and over can get very boring, and dogs can become satiated with too many treats. However, food when used responsibly as part of a wider range of rewards can be very valuable indeed.

• Positive Cues from Their Person: Hearing a familiar, kind tone of voice or seeing a friendly smile from their person can immediately calm and reassure a dog.

Fun Not Fear® Club:
Always adopt a Fun Not Fear® stance while interacting with your dog. Be gentle, thoughtful and fun, never using aversive actions, equipment or methods with them. You are their guide in life and they need to be able to trust you above all else.

Remember:
”There is nothing that can be taught with fear, that can’t be taught with fun, apart from fear itself”.

~ Freya V. Locke, The Fun Not Fear® Club*.

When to use glimmers:

We can introduce more glimmers to our dogs in a HUGE variety of circumstances, to make their days and lives better. With it, their behaviour struggles will become less prominent, their health issues less troublesome and their outlook happier.

Use glimmers for:

• Dogs that have not quite got the memo when it comes to training, can ALWAYS enjoy their glimmers.

• Dogs who have not yet bonded with a new human can bond over their glimmers.

• Dogs who worry about things like vet visits can be shown glimmers when they get there and even turn the vet visit into another glimmer.

• Dogs in kennels or rescue can have their days made more interesting and less stressful with glimmers.

• Dogs who are anxious and worry about things could find exposure to more glimmers very affirming and reassuring.

• Dogs who need a confidence boost.

• Dogs who exist.

• Dogs.

• All Dogs.

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Glimmers are a powerful antidote to triggers. They can bring peace and joy to a anxious, stressed out dog. This can only be a good thing.

Let me know what glimmers your dog has in their day!