Place work in 5 easy steps
What is “place”?
During “place” the dog is staying on a dog bed, place board, blanket, towel, etc, preferably laying down in a relaxed position.
Why is it important?
“Place” is a safe spot for the dog to relax, but it’s somewhere to be used very intentionally so that both you and your dog benefit. The owner shouldn’t mess with dog while dog is holding place; this is their space to be calm and undisturbed. “Place” can be used for any number of common complaints we see with our dogs. Once a dog knows how to maintain “place”, it prevents the dog from bolting out the door, keeps your dog calm when guests come over rather than charging the door or jumping on guests, and keeps your dog out of the way during dinner, cooking, and gatherings. Ultimately, “place” teaches your dog impulse control and maintains his sense of calm despite distractions.
Over time, your dog will return to his place on his own when things get to be too much. Remember, it’s his zen spot! It simultaneously provides your dog mental stimulation, as he has to focus on staying on the bed or object, which calms the mind. The “place” command is a key component in training, as it’s a mobile training technique that can be used anywhere in any situation! Once your dog masters “place”, you will be able to take your dog to a patio or friend’s house without stressing about their behavior, or freely host guests in your home without worrying about your dog.
How does it work?
1. Introduce the “place” command with a leash first, preferably after a walk or physical activity when their energy has been drained a bit. Gently guide your dog onto the bed/object and guide him/her off right away. Don’t use any commands at first, it’s more about the act of going on and off the bed. Once your dog gets on and off without a problem or hesitation, start introducing the word “place” right before your dog steps on (the act of getting on the board/bed/object means “place”).
2. Get your dog into a sit, then down, wait a moment, then guide dog back off by saying “come” or “here” (this is still on leash).
3. Repetition is your friend! Do this over and over again until you notice you don’t have to use the leash anymore to get your dog to go on the bed, just the command “place” and point to the object with your finger to help with direction.
4. Increase the time on the bed/object slowly. Start with maintaining “place” for just a few seconds, then 30 seconds, then a minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. No dog will just stay on the bed for an hour right away; the concept won’t make sense to your dog until it becomes a routine, so keep practicing!
5. Be patient. Your dog will naturally “break place”, meaning get off the bed without permission. Don’t ever get frustrated, simply guide him/her back to the bed. The place is a safe space and is always positive. If we get mad or frustrated when a dog gets off, he/she will learn that “place” is no fun and will have a negative association with it. Remember that in order to be effective, training requires a calm, confident, and consistent energy from the owner!
Over time you can do it without a leash and just tell your dog “place” and he/she will know what to do and will go to the bed and relax. If you notice that your dog is struggling, go back to basics and use the leash during some drills until your dog begins to understand the routine again.
