How to Teach Your Dog Place

Do you sometimes wish you could tell your dog to lay in a place and know he will stay there, comfortably, for long periods of time? You need to teach your dog “place”. This concept is different than down or sit in that the dog can move about to get comfortable, can sit, stand, or lay down, but must stay in the place you put him.

To teach place, it is easier to start with a dog bed or elevated place for your dog to stay. You tell your dog “place”, put the dog on the elevated place, and give your dog a treat. As long as the dog stays on the place you put him, he is praised and rewarded. The second he steps off the place you put him, you tell him “no” and place him back up there. Then praise him for being in his “place”. At first, you only ask him to stay there a few seconds. Gradually lengthen the time until he will stay there five or ten minutes without getting off the elevated platform.

Now you must make the dog understand that “place” is any place you point to, not just the platform. It is helpful to use a towel at this stage and lay it flat on the ground. Follow the same procedure as above, placing your dog on the towel and telling him “place.” As long as part of his body is on the towel, praise him and give him treats. Work from a few seconds up to five or ten minutes. Now work on walking away with the dog on his “place” and leaving him If he follows, put him back on his place and repeat until he will stay on his place when you leave the room.

Now that the dog is reliable about his place in your house, take him other places and put the towel down, command the dog to “place”, and proof the dog. Put treats out of his reach and correct him if he tries to get them. Put a favorite toy out of his reach and do the same. Take the dog to several places that are safe, such as parks and pet friendly stores, and put down his towel and order him to place. Make sure he stays where he is put while you move away. Do not go out of sight of him in public places, and make sure he is well proofed before you take him off leash.

Eventually, you will be able to set the towel down, order “place” and know your dog will stay on the towel until you release him, no matter what you are doing. Remember, however, that your dog is vulnerable to other dogs and humans, so never leave him long and make sure other dogs do not come up to him while he cannot defend himself.

The “place” command is also wonderful when you are doing something around the house and want the dog around, but not in your face.