From Chaos to Calm: Mastering the “Place” Behavior with Positive Reinforcement

Embarking on the journey of refining your dog's behavior? Look no further! In this post, we're diving into the world of positive reinforcement training to shape the desired "Place" behavior in your dog.

Not only will learning this behavior elevate your dog's manners, but it will also cultivate a calm retreat for your pup.

Understanding the intricacies of the "Place" behavior is the first step in fostering a calm and obedient atmosphere. Essentially, this behavior involves teaching your dog to go to, and stay on, a specified spot - such as a mat or a dog bed. It proves to be a versatile skill, offering you a reliable tool to manage various situations and ensuring your pup's behavior aligns seamlessly with your expectations.

In the upcoming steps, I'll guide you through the process of instilling this behavior in your dog, utilizing positive reinforcement techniques. By choosing the right spot, employing tempting treats, and integrating consistent cues, you'll soon witness your dog mastering the art of finding their designated "place."

Join me on this rewarding journey to shape positive behaviors and forge an unbreakable bond with your canine companion.

Understanding the "Place" Behavior: Before we dive into the training, let's grasp the concept. "Place" means having your dog go to and stay on a designated spot, like a mat or a dog bed. It's a versatile behavior that can be a game-changer for managing your dog's behavior in various situations.

Choosing the Right Spot: Select a specific spot in your home for the "Place" behavior. It could be a comfortable mat, a dog bed, or really any defined area. Consistency is key here, so choose a location that is easily accessible and doesn't change.

Gather Those Tempting Reinforcers: Positive reinforcement relies on rewards, and what better reward for your pup than tasty treats? Ensure you have a variety of treats that your dog loves and is willing to work for. This will make training sessions enjoyable for both of you.

What if your dog doesn't enjoy working for food? Select a variety of reinforcers that your dog does enjoy working for. Grab some favorite toys, or use praise or physical touch. It's important to know what your dog enjoys.

It often makes training this behavior a little easier when you use a brand new mat, bed, rug, blanket, towel, or something similar. But you don't have to! If you don't have something new to use and are using a particular spot on your floor or something like that, start at Step 2 below.

Step 1: If you do have a new item to use as your dog's "place," hold the item and show interest in it until your dog comes over and also shows interest in it. Use your bridge (verbal marker or clicker) the moment your pup shows interest in the item, put the mat down & place a treat on the "place." Continue to repeat this step for several sessions.

Step 2: Keep the "place" item in the same spot. Or select a spot on your floor in the house to use for this behavior. Stand near the spot, then point to the spot & say, "Place." Begin to bridge and reward your dog with medium-value treats for putting even one paw in the right spot. If your pup puts all four feet on the "place," bridge and reinforce with high-value treats. And if he SITS DOWN (!!!), give him a really high-value treat or a bunch of high-value treats at once (magnitude). Make it a big deal (puppy party!!!).

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until you feel like your dog is really catching on to what you want him to do, and you're seeing him put four feet on "place" and/or sitting on "place" quite often. Continue to bridge and reward him with medium-value treats even when he's getting less than four feet on "place."

Step 4: Now you can really focus on getting the expected behavior from your pup. When you say, "Place," don't bridge or reinforce until your dog has all four feet on the right spot. Randomly ask for "Sit." If he sits, bridge and reinforce with high-value treats.

Step 5: By now, your pup should be pretty consistent with putting all four paws on "place" when you ask for it. So now, when you ask for "place" and he complies with his feet, bridge him, but pause a moment to see if he will offer a sit before you reward him. When he does sit, bridge and reward with high-value treats. Make a big deal about it (puppy party!). If he doesn't sit after a few seconds, bridge and reward with medium-value treats. Repeat this step until your dog is consistently sitting in the right spot when you ask for "place."

It's important to note here that only sits will get the best rewards. Your dog will soon learn that you want him to offer a sit on "place."

Step 6: Introduce a release cue (something like saying, "Free!" with a wave of your hands) and say it a short time after your dog has completed the "place" behavior. Invite your dog to walk away from "place" with you. Then randomly ask for "place" again. Continue to reward for correct behavior.

Step 7: Begin to ask for "place" when standing a small distance away from it. Bridge and reward with high-value treats when your dog sits in the right spot. If you have to walk closer to "place" in order for your dog to successfully complete the behavior, still bridge and reward with medium-value treats. Continue to use your release cue in between working the "Place" behavior.

Step 8: Repeat Step 7 by moving farther and farther away from "place" so that your dog can learn to go to it (and sit!) from greater distances. Repeat this step until your pup is consistently completing it successfully, and can do it from virtually anywhere in the house! Continue to work on your release cue as well.

Step 9: Now you can work on increasing the duration of your dog's sit on "place." If you have a "Stay" or "Hold" behavior, use it here! Ask for "place." Bridge when your dog completes it, then immediately ask for "stay." Bridge again and reward with high-value treats when your dog is successful. Repeat this step while you increase the duration of the sit, a few seconds at a time.

Step 10: Once your dog is able to remain on "place" for longer periods of time, it's time to add in distractions! Start with small distractions (like the clap of your hands or the squeak of a toy). Add these distractions in when you're asking your dog to stay on "place." Make sure to bridge and reward with high-value treats when your dog is able to ignore the distractions. Medium-value treats should now be given for all other correct behavior.

Step 11: Add in bigger and bigger distractions! Cue your dog to go to "place" when the doorbell rings, or when people are running through the house, or when kids are yelling, or when you're cooking in the kitchen, etc. Pretty soon you'll have a pup that will "place" nicely and stay there when you need him to!

* You can also train this behavior with a "Lie down" behavior instead of a "Sit" behavior on "place." Follow the steps, but replace all instances of "sit" with "lie down."

Sometimes training the "place" behavior can be completed in just a few sessions! But it will depend on the individual dog, as well as on your consistency and time commitment to training. If it takes longer than you anticipate, don't worry! You'll get there. Just try to be as consistent as possible.

Training your dog to "place" can be a wonderful management tool - one that you'll definitely want in your training toolbox! You'll be able to watch your household go from chaos to calm!

Remember that with the use of positive reinforcement, as outlined above, you're not just training your dog; you're nurturing a relationship based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect.

Do you have questions about the process or need more help with "place" training? Leave me a comment or contact me any time! I'd love to help!