

Get him up on top of the bed or mat, wait for just a second or two, and then use leash pressure to lure him back to where you are while you say the release word. To teach your dog about the release word, you’ll want to put him on the leash and lead him to the dog bed or mat that you’ll use for training. These are words you’re not likely to use as much as ‘OK.’ You might choose another word like ‘free’ or ‘break’ or ‘dog out’ or even ‘up’ to be your release word. It will be confusing for your dog who will be hanging on your every word after you give him the place command. For example, you probably say the word ‘OK’ a lot in normal conversation, so you don’t want to use that as your release word. The release cue should be something that you don’t use frequently. This release cue is vital for dog training because it tells your dog that he has to hold the position until you say something specific. The first thing you want to teach your dog is the release word you will use that lets him know when he can stop holding still. Just be sure to move at your dog’s pace and don’t try to rush it.Īnother great tip is to keep your initial training sessions short, about 10 minutes or so, and then you can build up to 20-minute sessions, particularly as you start adding in distractions. Once your dog masters the command in that kind of environment, you can then move on to areas of more distractions. It’s also helpful if it’s a familiar and comfortable location like your home.
TEACH DOG TO STICK EM UP PROFESSIONAL
Pick a Quiet EnvironmentĪs any professional dog trainer will tell you, you always want to start by working in an environment with minimal distractions. There are some basic rules that work well for any kind of command you’re trying to teach your dog, including the place command. Once you feel like you’ve got what you need, you can now proceed with this valuable dog training technique. If you’re out on a hike and you don’t have your dog’s bed with you, you use other objects like a picnic table, a bench, a chair, or even a log where you can have your dog go to stay put. You can even use the scale at the vet’s clinic as a place with a boundary where your dog needs to go and stay. These can include things like towels, backpacks, the car, your tent, or even the bathtub. Once your dog learns the concept, you can really pair the place command with almost any object that has some kind of boundary. The tools you need include a dog bed or placemat of some kind, some treats for positive reinforcement, and a leash. While there are many reasons you may want to take your dog to a professional dog trainer, you can teach this to your dog yourself. The good news is that you don’t need a lot of tools to teach the place command to your dog.

Tools You Need to Teach Your Dog the Place Command

So now that you’re thinking you want to teach your dog the place command, you might be wondering, what do I need to be successful? Do you need a professional dog trainer, or can you do it yourself? Well, first things first, let’s talk preparation. What Do You Need to Teach Your Dog Place? While these may be some of the more common uses for the place command, you can also use it in other circumstances like trying to get your dog to hold still for photos, or you can bring a mat for him and use the place command to get your dog to stay while you sit on the patio of your favorite local brewery enjoying a cold beer. It’s always a good idea to bring along his own dog travel bed and you can use that as his ‘place’ to sit while you set up camp. You can even seat belt him in place to ensure he stays put.Īnother place you might use it is when you’re camping with your dog. By using the place command, you give your dog something to focus on instead of any discomfort he might experience while riding. You can also use it in the car to teach him that car rides can be fun. You will use the place command in a variety of situations from giving your dog structure at home by having him stay in his place, to times during your shared outdoor adventures when you want him to get to the side of the trail so other hikers can pass, to getting him to stay still on the paddleboard when your paddling!
