We talk a lot about recognizing when our pets are becoming more stressed. But what about when they’re calming down? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong walks you through a practical and insightful skill: identifying your pet’s ladder of de-escalation. It’s the crucial flip side to recognizing escalation, and it is just as important for supporting your pet’s full stress recovery.

Emily breaks down a six-step process to help you recognize when your pet is moving toward relaxation and how to tell the difference between “just coping” and “truly relaxed.” From self-soothing behaviors to the difference between “resting” and really resting, this episode is filled with tips, common mistakes to avoid, and why you should absolutely film your dog sometimes.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ The Ladder of De-Escalation Matters – Understanding how your pet moves down from stress is just as important as knowing how they go up.
2️⃣ Six-Step Observation Process – Learn six steps to better observe and interpret your pet’s body language.
3️⃣ Film and Repeat – Every animal is different, and context matters. Filming and revisiting behavior helps you learn about your pet and what’s consistent and what changes.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial l OpenDyslexic

🌐 Go here for the full episode show notes

🎧 #120 - Why Your Pet Needs a Safe Space (and How to Make One)

🎧 #118 - Amber Quann: Biofeedback, Beer, & Backpacks

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