07/07/2025
HAPPY MONDAY!!
Today I'm going to talk about what I personally think is THE most important first training command to teach your dog.
~The Place Command~
#1- It is the gateway to impulse control, focus and patience...the most important things to teach your dog.
Probably half the issues owners have, come from the root cause of impulse control.
#2- When using place command, NO ONE is allowed to approach or even acknowledge the dog.
Not other dogs, not visitors, not random people at a park.
It allows a dog who may need a little space, a safe spot to regroup if they are feeling overwhelmed.
It also allows a shy dog a safe place to observe new things unbothered.
Teaching PLACE is SO easy too!
Simply have a dog bed or similar, ( I prefer a lifted dog cot)
Walk your dog up to it, apply gentle pressure on the leash until they step up. When they get all four feet on the cot, use a marking word "yes" for example, and then calmly praise them, or give a treat, whatever reward method you prefer,and then release with a release command.
That can be " release" " done" "ok"," peaches" ,any thing you want.
Slowly add time to the place command until they naturally settle comfortably before release.
Repeat this until no leash is needed, and they immediately go to their place on command and settle there.
**Place is a command in itself. It does not require an additional sit or stay command. **
Place should mean, If I place you on this spot, you stay on this spot until you are released...period.
Pay attention when in this command because you'll find that when faced with a distraction, your dog will often look at you for affirmation to stay in place.
Reward that with quiet praise (crazy, baby voice praise will simply raise excitement levels and make it harder for them) or silence with a treat.
That is the beginning of impulse control, looking to their human for direction, instead of bolting for whatever they see or want.
Once Place is a set command, take that cot to the park ( on leash of course).
Sit a little away from the action and practice your place command.
Just sit quietly observing, read a book, scroll your phone, get a tan ect.
This will teach your dog to relax in active and changing situations.
The same rules apply at the park. Advocate for your dog. Do not allow people to approach your dog or anyone to let their dog approach your dog while in place. That is their safe, observation spot.
Your goal is a dog that goes from that place command into snoozing or observing in a relaxed, peaceful manner no matter what is going on around them.
More reactive dogs may need to start farther away from the action and gradually move closer.
This does NOT mean your dog will automatically be a social butterfly. Some dogs just do not have that personality... AND THAT IS OK!
But this practice can allow most dogs to be relaxed and content in social settings with an owner who advocates for their space.
Happy Training!
