I have recently learned how important it is to be able to tell Zum to relax. If Zum is throwing his head, looking around and prancing around me on the lead rope, he is not relaxed. I say ‘Calm down’ in a soft voice. I know he is relaxed if his neck muscles are not tense, his feet are stopped and his nose is turned towards me. When Zum’s neck softens, I can release my tight grip on the lead rope and let him stand quietly, reassuring him with praise. The body language of both Zum and I needs to be relaxed together.
