How to Teach Your Dog Place
Teaching Place
Does your dog beg at the kitchen table?
Rush the door when the doorbell rings?
Knock over your kid’s board game?
Annoy you during the best part of movie night?
Have to be in the middle of everything with your new baby?
Does your dog get nervous when people arrive?
Roam the house while you're trying to work?
Won’t let you out of sight?
Place is one of the best skills you can teach your dog. It quickly becomes a fan favorite! You’ll wish you had done this long ago.
Be sure to read our articles on
The Importance of Duration Work
How To Teach Place
Teaching Place sets the tone for calm behavior in a simple, non-confrontational way.
This exercise builds patience, leadership, and a calm state of mind for your dog.
✅ This is a one-hour exercise for adult dogs. For puppies, start with 20–30 minutes.
✅ Place teaches your dog to relax, not anticipate what's next, and stay calm around distractions like visitors, dogs, and doorbells.
Tip: Week One is the hardest! Stay consistent... the reward is huge when your dog can stay calmly on Place during family life.
What You’ll Need for Place Training
Non-slip mat, dog bed, or cot (like a Karunda Bed — durable and easy to clean).
Optional: [Veehoo Dog Cot Link]Leash and Collar (You'll need these for several weeks before advancing to off-leash Place.)
Up to an Hour to supervise your dog during early sessions.
How to Begin Teaching Place (Week One)
Day 1: Intro to Place (Duration Focus)
Start with "Parade Across"
Hold the leash and walk your dog onto the mat.
As soon as all four feet touch the mat, say "Place."
As soon as he steps off, say your release word "Okay."
If reluctant, encourage him onto the mat (treats are usually unnecessary).
Repeat 4–5 times.
Place and Wait for Error
Put your dog on Place.
Stand at the end of the leash.
Wait:
If he steps off: say "No, Place" and guide him back.
If he sits or lies down: mark "Good!" and release him ("Okay").
Repeat "Wait for Error" 4–5 times.
Finish with 4–5 more "Parade Across" reps.
Praise and affection after completing.
✅ Complete this full exercise 2–3 times on Day 1 and Day 2 — -master this before advancing.
Day 2: Working the Clock
Begin with Parade Across.
(Never skip Parade Across — it's critical for understanding the release word.)Set a 15-Minute Timer for your repetitions:
Place for 1 minute ➔ Release.
Parade Across 2–3 times.
Place for 2–3 minutes ➔ Release.
Place for 1 minute ➔ Release.
Place for 2–3 minutes ➔ Release.
Finish with Parade Across.
Praise and affection.
✅ Repeat later in the day 2-3 times.
Day 3: Introduce Short Success + Longer Wait for Error
Start with Parade Across.
Create Easy Wins:
Place for 1–2 minutes (use a 5-minute timer).
Place and Wait for Error:
Place your dog and wait calmly for 15 minutes.
If the dog steps off: "No, Place" and return calmly — no other interaction.
Release after 15 minutes with praise and affection.
Parade Across and Easy Wins:
Place for 1–2 minutes at a time.
✅ Repeat twice during the day.
Important: If your dog struggles, return to easy wins before ending the session.
Day 4: Push Through the Breakthrough
You’ll need extra time today.
Put your dog on Place (with leash).
Set a 20-Minute Timer:
Stand calmly at the end of the leash.
If the dog breaks Place:
Say "No, Place" and calmly return him.
No eye contact, no other words.
Use spatial pressure if possible.
At 20 minutes:
Release with praise and affection.
Parade Across for 1–2 minutes.
Repeat the 20-Minute Place again.
IMPORTANT: If your dog keeps pushing the limits, stick with it "until" they surrender mentally — no anticipation, full relaxation.
✅ Let them stay longer (10–15 extra minutes) once relaxed if you're reading, watching TV, etc.
Day 5: Start Distance
Repeat Day 4's steps.
Start sitting across the room:
Drop the leash.
If the dog breaks:
Mark "No," calmly pick up the leash, return him to Place.
✅ No talking, no eye contact. Stay neutral. No toys, chews, etc.
Day 6: Increase Duration
Repeat Day 4 steps.
Set a 30-Minute Timer with you across the room, but still supervising.
Day 7: Build Consistency
Repeat Day 6 steps.
Stay calm, consistent, neutral.
Your ultimate goal by the end of week 1 is a continuous 30 minute place stay.
Advancing the Place Command (Weeks 2–5+)
Once your dog understands Place, it's time to advance the challenge:
Exit the room:
Disappear out of sight for 1 second, return, release. Gradually increase the time you are out of site. If your dog breaks, mark it “no”, escort them back to place and repeat (yes, you’re still on a leash at this phase).Exit the house (don’t leave — just to the mailbox or to accept a package) while the dog stays on Place.
Add distractions:
Kids playing
Ring the doorbell (engage the kids and family to practice)
Greet guests while the dog stays on Place
Release politely to greet guests - only if manners are solid.
Once you have mastered all of the above — start trying without a leash.
Sending to Place from a Distance
Start walking toward the mat, but stop a few steps short.
Point to the mat and say "Place."
Encourage your dog to walk the last few steps alone.
Gradually increase distance your dog travels away from you to the mat over several days.
Tips for Success
Move Place around:
Use different rooms, patios, or even outdoor places like coffee shops and parks.Have multiple mats if needed.
Stay Neutral:
No barking, whining, growling allowed on Place.
If problems arise, contact your trainer for help.No additional commands:
Dog can choose to sit or lie down — but must stay quietly.Multiple dogs:
Teach each dog individually first with separate mats.
Advanced Fun Challenges for Place
Send your dog to:
Ottomans
Upside-down buckets
Rocks
Small squares in the sand at the beach
Use wobble boards, tree stumps, or park benches!
Always create success!
Reward progress, motivate your dog, and back up a level if needed.
Final Reminder
You'll want to stop early. You'll think it's not possible.
But you must push the clock and the challenge... that's how real breakthroughs happen!
The Coach’s Corner:
Place is one of the first commands we teach to all clients coming into our board and train program. And one of the first skills for all new clients.. For many dogs, they have never had to just be still and do it on their own restraint vs being crated. Sure, they would lay down somewhere on their terms, but to be required to lay down on someone else’s terms for an extended period of time is foreign to many dogs.
Some get really nervous. Even stressed by this exercise. Some are very reluctant to lay down and rest. Our goal is to get them to settle down, relax, and rest. Our goal is to teach them to go relax their state of mind on command. Work through this knowing they are not in harm’s way. It’s part of the process.
We then use place as a daily means of duration work to just be present without being active/busy or stressed out by everything else. It becomes a very safe comfortable spot, and many dogs will go to place on their own when they need to chill out a bit. It is fantastic for state of mind work during training, at home, or in new situations.
Read: Waiting On The BreakThrough
Read: Dealing with Your Dog’s Resistance To Change
Want to Order A Great Karunda Bed — https://dogbed.us/26561
They make great elevated cots for dogs! My dog’s love them & use them every day. I have had one for well over 10 years!!!
Page Contains Affiliate Links