The Calmr Method is a daily routine that is embedded into the lives of you and your dog that involves sensory experiences and activities throughout the day will ensure well-being.

The Calmr Dog Method offers more efficient bottom-up inhibition through sensorimotor strategies, rather than relying on top-down inhibition which uses ineffective verbal commands. Using the Calmr Dog Method you can improve the behavior and well-being of your dog by leveraging specific sensory techniques to be used throughout the day that create optimal input for your dog’s ability to remain calm and happy. Get details about the Calmr Dog Method »

Every dog loves a new toy and it's hard to go wrong with any Calmr Dog Toy. Please keep in mind that Calmr Dog Toys are therapeutic tools, not chew toys. It is important to remove the toy after each play session.

To choose the right toys for your dog, consider these questions:

• How does your dog like to play? Does he or she prefer to tug or retrieve? Or wrestle with and chew on a toy?

  • For vigorous play: Vim — Vigor — Verve

  • Retrieving: Vigor — Verve

  • Tugging: Vim — Verve

  • Chew-resistant: Vigor

• Does your dog like a soft mouth feel or does he or she seem not to care?

  • Soft mouth feel: Vim — Verve

• Do you require the toy to be washed off or sanitized after use (eg., are you using the toy in a shelter or foster home where many dogs may play with the same toy)?

  • Easy to clean: Vigor

No, vigorous play with Calmr Dog Toys actually helps your dog control impulsive behaviors. Always supervise play, especially around young children and other dogs.

Even after a long run, your dog needs more stimulation! If your dog still has more energy after lots of exercise, it indicates that he or she is not experiencing the specific sensory input needed to calm, or that sensory input is not rich enough to meet your dog’s sensory threshold.

When running with you, your dog is receiving mostly linear movement input (vestibular) when what he may need is muscle work (proprioception). If your dog gets home and rips around for a bit feeling goosey, that could be plain fun. However, if your dog is still looking to you to Make Something Happen, try throwing around a weighted and flexible Calmr Dog Toy to satisfy his or her remaining "heavy work" sensory need and let your dog get down to settling down.

Check out our videos to learn more about your dog's nervous system, sensory processing, and the biology of play »

Calmr Dog Toys allow your dog to experience the weight and flexibility of the toy while being engaged in movement. How this looks will be up to your dog. Trust them to know what feels best for their nervous system. This will look different from dog to dog.

The Calmr Dog Program is an interactive play strategy, so your participation is required! Most dogs prefer to play with their person/guardian so we will need to take their cue. So what do they want to do? Tug with interspersed tosses? Play chase? Retrieve?

• When introducing your dog to a Calmr Dog Toy, their reaction might surprise you. Let your dog explore the toy on their own without interference. Start by getting their attention, then toss the toy a short distance away. Don’t give any commands or expectations. Your dog might shake, nuzzle, or carry the toy like a treasure—all are normal responses.

• If your dog shows little interest at first, simply put the toy away and try again another day. The innovative design of Calmr Dog Toys might take some getting used to.

• When your dog engages with the toy, that’s when the magic happens! Calmr Dog Toys stimulate their brain, so let them play uninterrupted. Your dog will signal when they’re ready for you to join in.

• Using the Calmr Dog Method, play with your dog using the toy for up to 10 minutes, twice a day. Most dogs will be satisfied before the time is up and will lie down. When they do, count to 7 slowly. If they remain down and don’t get up as you approach, the play session is over. Remember, Calmr Dog Toys are therapeutic tools, not chew toys—play, then put away. To gently take the toy from your dog, offer a preferred chew or a long-lasting treat. This satisfies their need to chew, which also helps calm their nervous system.

Always put Calmr Dog Toys away after playtime.

Sensory processing intervention is a well-established treatment principle used by the majority of occupational therapists who treat individuals with dysfunctional nervous systems. This neuro-behavior calming strategy is used in the treatment of students with autism, and now for the first time by Calmr Dog, cross-species to canines. This is why our company was created. Our purpose is to make dog owners aware of how best to help their dogs live a happy dog's life!

Check out our Library to learn more about your dog's nervous system, sensory processing, and the biology of play »