Getting your dog to settle down in their bed or crate on cue can feel like an impossible task, similar to asking a high-energy child to sit quietly. However, teaching your dog to go to their designated spot on command is incredibly convenient for those moments when you need them out from underfoot. This guide will walk you through why the “go to your place” behavior is so useful and how to train your dog to happily comply.
The “go to your place” cue is incredibly useful for everyday life. Imagine preparing dinner without your dog weaving around your feet, or enjoying time with guests without them constantly demanding attention. This cue provides you with uninterrupted dog-free time, giving you peace of mind knowing your dog’s whereabouts and activities. It’s also a fantastic tool for managing problem behaviors like jumping on guests or begging at the table. Instead of solely trying to prevent these behaviors, you can teach your dog to go to their place as an alternative response. For instance, when the doorbell rings, you can ask your dog to go to their place. They are less likely to bother visitors if they are resting quietly in another room.
While a crate can be used for this exercise, opting for a portable bed or mat offers greater flexibility. You can easily move this “place” from room to room within your house or even take it along when you travel. Once your dog associates their special place with comfort, it can provide them with a sense of security in unfamiliar environments, such as a new house or even during a veterinary appointment. Teach your dog to come when you call before starting this.
Making ‘Place’ a Positive Experience
It’s crucial that your dog views going to their place as a positive experience, not a punishment. If they perceive it negatively, training will be significantly more challenging. Instead, make their place an appealing spot by employing positive training methods and offering high-value treats. You can further enhance your dog’s positive association with their place by providing special items there, such as a favorite chew bone or a new toy. Presenting these rewards exclusively on their bed or mat will reinforce the idea that this spot is worth their attention and time, effectively making it their happy place.
Step-by-Step Training for the ‘Place’ Cue
Before beginning training, ensure your dog has a solid understanding of the “down” command. They should also know a release word, such as “free” or “release,” which signals they are permitted to leave the mat. Your dog needs to remain in their designated place until this release word is given.
This behavior can be trained using either shaping or luring techniques, and it’s an excellent exercise for clicker training. Here’s how to train your dog to go to their place:
- Introduction to the Mat: Introduce your dog to the mat. Click and reward any attention they show towards it, such as sniffing or stepping onto it. Alternatively, you can lure your dog onto the mat with a treat. Click and reward when they place at least one paw on the mat. Regardless of the method, always place the reward on the mat to create a positive association. Continue clicking and rewarding as long as your dog interacts with the mat.
- Full Mat Interaction and Release: Continue shaping the behavior until your dog places all four paws on the mat. If using a lure, ensure you guide your dog completely onto the mat. Click and reward while they are on the mat. Now, introduce your release word. Say the word, then lure your dog off the mat, perhaps by tossing a treat or toy. Do not click or reward the release itself.
- Encouraging Return: Observe if your dog returns to the mat on their own. If they do, click and treat. If not, repeat step two a few more times and try again. Once your dog understands the mat is the desired location, proceed to the next step.
- Adding the Down Command: With your dog on the mat, lure them into a down position before clicking and rewarding. Alternatively, you can ask them to lie down using a verbal cue or hand signal. For dogs experienced with shaping, you can wait for them to offer a down position. Remember to release your dog after the reward.
- Building Duration: Begin increasing the duration your dog stays on the mat by gradually waiting longer periods before clicking and treating. Focus on improving only one of the three Ds – distance, duration, and distraction – at a time. Train your puppy to sit and stay to build duration.
- Introducing Distance: Once your dog reliably stays on the mat until the release cue, start increasing the distance. Send your dog to the mat from progressively farther away. You can also begin walking away while they are lying on the mat.
- Incorporating Distractions: Add distractions to the training sessions.
- Adding the Cue: Finally, once your dog understands the behavior in various circumstances, introduce your chosen cue, such as “Mat” or “Place.”
Most dogs will progress through these steps relatively quickly. If your dog struggles, it might mean you’ve advanced too quickly. Take a step back and practice more. Remember to train in different rooms of the house to help your dog generalize the behavior. Soon, you’ll have an effective method for keeping your dog out of the way, and your dog will have a comfortable, special place to relax.
