What You’ll Need
- A mat, bed, or towel (the “place”)
- High-value treats (small, soft, pea-sized pieces)
- A quiet training area, gradually adding distractions
- Patience and consistency
Why Teaching Place Matters
The “place” command — sending your dog to a designated spot and having them stay there — is one of the most useful behaviors you can teach. It gives your dog a job to do during exciting or chaotic situations: when guests arrive, during meals, when the doorbell rings, or when you need your dog out from underfoot. It’s also invaluable for managing multiple dogs and preventing problem behaviors.
The American Kennel Club includes place training in their Canine Good Citizen preparation, recognizing it as an essential skill for polite companion dogs. For anxious or excitable dogs, place provides clear boundaries that help them relax. For owners, it provides peace and control during daily life situations.
Step-by-Step: How to Teach Place
Step 1: Teach Getting On the Mat
Start with your dog on a leash or in a small room. Place the mat on the floor and lure your dog onto it with a treat. The moment all four paws hit the mat, mark “Yes!” and reward. Use a release cue like “free” or “okay” and encourage your dog off the mat. Repeat until your dog happily steps onto the mat expecting rewards.
Point to the mat while saying “place” or “mat” to introduce the verbal cue. Reward generously for compliance.
Step 2: Add Duration and Distance
Once your dog goes to the mat readily, ask them to stay there. Have them sit or down on the mat, then take one step back. Return and reward. Gradually increase distance and duration: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute. Always return to reward before releasing.
Release your dog with a clear cue before they choose to leave on their own. This teaches them to wait for permission.
Step 3: Add Distractions and Real-Life Practice
Practice place during daily activities. Send your dog to their mat when you eat dinner, when guests arrive, or when you need to answer the door. Start with mild distractions and gradually increase difficulty. Reward heavily for staying on the mat during exciting moments.
Work on sending your dog to place from across the room, from different angles, and while you’re moving.
Training Tips
- Make the place rewarding: Special toys or treats only happen there
- Use a consistent spot initially: Generalize to other mats later
- Release clearly: Your dog should wait for permission to leave
- Practice daily: Integrate place into your routine
- Increase difficulty gradually: Don’t rush to high-distraction situations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Releasing when the dog is about to leave anyway: Always beat them to it
- Calling the dog off the place: Go to them and release instead
- Making stays too long too soon: Build duration gradually
- Inconsistent enforcement: If they leave early, calmly return them
Troubleshooting
My dog won’t stay on the mat: You’re asking for too much too soon. Go back to shorter durations and distances. Make staying on the mat highly rewarding.
My dog only goes to the mat when I have treats: Fade treats gradually. Sometimes reward, sometimes don’t. The mat itself should become a signal that good things happen there.
My dog gets up when they see a distraction: You’re working too close to the distraction. Increase distance and reward more heavily for staying put.
When to Move On
Your dog has mastered place when they go to their mat on cue from anywhere in the room, stay there reliably through moderate distractions (doorbells, guests entering), and wait for their release cue. Place becomes your go-to tool for managing daily life with your dog.