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The Very Beginning of the Place Command
The place command is usually taught around the same weeks that they stay commands are taught. The difference from a stay command is this becomes a "send to" where you can send the dog to stay. Once you get going you can use this for a crate command or a on top of command, unless you want separate verbal cues for this.
Uses for a Place Command: Sending your dog from company that may not wish to greet them at places like the dinner table and door without your escorting the dog to the desired location. Behaviorally modify dog's behavior that may have a territorial aggressive bent. Send away from an area that may hold danger like a broken glass surrounding the owner. Interrupt an oncoming conflict between dogs by sending one or two away. Send a fearful dog to a safe area. Move a dog around a room while completing housework (keeps them safe from chemicals you may be using).
Goal of a Place Command: To direct a dog to an area without needing to escort them to the area yourself. To train a dog to recognize what and where a place is, and to both travel to and place them within those boundaries.
Equipment needed: Need a leash and training collar in addition to the place itself. Many trainers use a raised platform for a place (usually made with plywood, rug, and pvc piping) so that there is a definite raised boundary area to begin. Also many trainers usually make a negative place (pvc boundary only) for ease of traveling with it. However, a dog bed, mat or something with a definite boundary on which your dog can fit all their paws into laying down will do.
THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PLACE:
STEP 1: Position your place equipment in the middle of the room.
STEP 2: Start heeling your dog around the room.
STEP 3: Walk with your dog over the place area. When all four paws are in the place, say "place".
STEP 4: Repeat step three from every angle of the place mat or bed (remember dogs can totally interpret something as "just from this direction", so help them to learn to generalize the command by doing this).
STEP 5: After several (25 or so) repeats of this, stop short of the mat, and see if the dog is ready to step on themselves.
Some examples of what the finished product looks like after all the steps (including the below sections) have been completed:
)
Uses for a Place Command: Sending your dog from company that may not wish to greet them at places like the dinner table and door without your escorting the dog to the desired location. Behaviorally modify dog's behavior that may have a territorial aggressive bent. Send away from an area that may hold danger like a broken glass surrounding the owner. Interrupt an oncoming conflict between dogs by sending one or two away. Send a fearful dog to a safe area. Move a dog around a room while completing housework (keeps them safe from chemicals you may be using).
Goal of a Place Command: To direct a dog to an area without needing to escort them to the area yourself. To train a dog to recognize what and where a place is, and to both travel to and place them within those boundaries.
Equipment needed: Need a leash and training collar in addition to the place itself. Many trainers use a raised platform for a place (usually made with plywood, rug, and pvc piping) so that there is a definite raised boundary area to begin. Also many trainers usually make a negative place (pvc boundary only) for ease of traveling with it. However, a dog bed, mat or something with a definite boundary on which your dog can fit all their paws into laying down will do.
THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PLACE:
STEP 1: Position your place equipment in the middle of the room.
STEP 2: Start heeling your dog around the room.
STEP 3: Walk with your dog over the place area. When all four paws are in the place, say "place".
STEP 4: Repeat step three from every angle of the place mat or bed (remember dogs can totally interpret something as "just from this direction", so help them to learn to generalize the command by doing this).
STEP 5: After several (25 or so) repeats of this, stop short of the mat, and see if the dog is ready to step on themselves.
Some examples of what the finished product looks like after all the steps (including the below sections) have been completed:
)
)
Continuing The Place Command
The place command is usually taught around the same weeks that they stay commands are taught. The difference from a stay command is this becomes a "send to" where you can send the dog to stay. Once you get going you can use this for a crate command or a on top of command, unless you want separate verbal cues for this.
Uses for a Place Command: Sending your dog from company that may not wish to greet them at places like the dinner table and door without your escorting the dog to the desired location. Behaviorally modify dog's behavior that may have a territorial aggressive bent. Send away from an area that may hold danger like a broken glass surrounding the owner. Interrupt an oncoming conflict between dogs by sending one or two away. Send a fearful dog to a safe area. Move a dog around a room while completing housework (keeps them safe from chemicals you may be using).
Goal of a Place Command: To direct a dog to an area without needing to escort them to the area yourself. To train a dog to recognize what and where a place is, and to both travel to and place them within those boundaries.
Equipment needed: Need a leash and training collar in addition to the place itself. Many trainers use a raised platform for a place (usually made with plywood, rug, and pvc piping) so that there is a definite raised boundary area to begin. Also many trainers usually make a negative place (pvc boundary only) for ease of traveling with it. However, a dog bed, mat or something with a definite boundary on which your dog can fit all their paws into laying down will do.
THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PLACE:
STEP 1: Position your place equipment in the middle of the room.
STEP 2: Start heeling your dog around the room.
STEP 3: Walk in a heel with your dog over the place area. When all four paws are in the place, say "place".
STEP 4: Repeat step three from every angle of the place mat or bed (remember dogs can totally interpret something as "just from this direction", so help them to learn to generalize the command by doing this).
STEP 5: After several (25 or so) repeats of this, stop short of the mat, and see if the dog is ready to step on themselves.
Uses for a Place Command: Sending your dog from company that may not wish to greet them at places like the dinner table and door without your escorting the dog to the desired location. Behaviorally modify dog's behavior that may have a territorial aggressive bent. Send away from an area that may hold danger like a broken glass surrounding the owner. Interrupt an oncoming conflict between dogs by sending one or two away. Send a fearful dog to a safe area. Move a dog around a room while completing housework (keeps them safe from chemicals you may be using).
Goal of a Place Command: To direct a dog to an area without needing to escort them to the area yourself. To train a dog to recognize what and where a place is, and to both travel to and place them within those boundaries.
Equipment needed: Need a leash and training collar in addition to the place itself. Many trainers use a raised platform for a place (usually made with plywood, rug, and pvc piping) so that there is a definite raised boundary area to begin. Also many trainers usually make a negative place (pvc boundary only) for ease of traveling with it. However, a dog bed, mat or something with a definite boundary on which your dog can fit all their paws into laying down will do.
STEP 2 OF THE PLACE COMMAND:
So now your dog is walking onto the place without your going over it with them. Here is the next step, and there are more coming. Remember that the end goal in this exercise is to have your dog cross an area to the place themselves while you are nowhere near the place. Here is the second phase of the place command training.
****NOTE: This is intellectual property of Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin. If you are a professional interested in using these training plans, please contact Mannerly Mutts and a fee arrangement can be made.
STEP 1: You still have a leash and collar on your dog. The place (board, mat, dog bed) item is in the middle of the room so you can walk around it, and use all sides to place your dog (so that they do not generalize).
STEP 2: Now as you approach the place, from a couple of steps away from the boarder of the "place item", extend your arm as you say "place" before the dog walks onto the place (different than before as you were saying place as you walked over with your dog, and only when the four paws were on the mat).
STEP 3: If your dog does not make it onto the place themselves, use the collar lead and your body language (IE nudge into the direction) to help your dog to the place mat. Be sure once there, that all four of their paws are on it. If paws are sticking out beyond the boarder, just place your feet near them. If they try to walk off and you catch them early, you can normally just move towards them quickly, and they will walk back onto the place area.
NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT YOUR DOG SHOULD NOT BE TOLD TO SIT OR DOWN. OTHERWISE YOU WILL RUIN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A PLACE HAS BOARDERS IN WHICH THE DOG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THEMSELVES.
NOTE the next step is really the third part of the place command. You don't have to do circles right away, until you find your dog stepping on the place consistently by themselves. (Not from any distance away yet other than your couple of steps away from it).
STEP 4: Once all four dog feet are on the place board, and your dog remains in whatever position he/she wants to, Have your six foot leash totally loose (this is so your dog can't dart away and have a game of chase), and circle close to the boarders of the place item (mat, board, dog bed). When a successful circle has been made, you can tell your dog "good place" and give them a scratch under the chin.
STEP 5: Now it's time to introduce your release word. At the end, say break and lead your dog off the place board. You can tell him/her that this was very good. You should only leave the place board once the performance has been good (IE you made circles around them very closely).
The next part is for next week...(videos are attached though if you want to look at the finished version).
FINAL PART OF THE PLACE COMMAND:
****NOTE: This is intellectual property of Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin. If you are a professional interested in using these training plans, please contact Mannerly Mutts and a fee arrangement can be made.
STEP 1: You still have a leash and collar on your dog. The place (board, mat, dog bed) item is in the middle of the room so you can walk around it, and use all sides to place your dog (so that they do not generalize).
STEP 2: Now as you approach the place, from a couple of steps away from the boarder of the "place item", extend your arm as you say "place" before the dog walks onto the place (different than before as you were saying place as you walked over with your dog, and only when the four paws were on the mat).
STEP 3: If your dog does not make it onto the place themselves, use the collar lead and your body language (IE nudge into the direction) to help your dog to the place mat. Be sure once there, that all four of their paws are on it. If paws are sticking out beyond the boarder, just place your feet near them. If they try to walk off and you catch them early, you can normally just move towards them quickly, and they will walk back onto the place area.
NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT YOUR DOG SHOULD NOT BE TOLD TO SIT OR DOWN. OTHERWISE YOU WILL RUIN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A PLACE HAS BOARDERS IN WHICH THE DOG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THEMSELVES.
NOTE the next step is really the third part of the place command. You don't have to do circles right away, until you find your dog stepping on the place consistently by themselves. (Not from any distance away yet other than your couple of steps away from it).
STEP 4: Once all four dog feet are on the place board, and your dog remains in whatever position he/she wants to, Have your six foot leash totally loose (this is so your dog can't dart away and have a game of chase), and circle close to the boarders of the place item (mat, board, dog bed). When a successful circle has been made, you can tell your dog "good place" and give them a scratch under the chin.
STEP 5: Now it's time to introduce your release word. At the end, say break and lead your dog off the place board. You can tell him/her that this was very good. You should only leave the place board once the performance has been good (IE you made circles around them very closely).
The next part is for next week...(videos are attached though if you want to look at the finished version).
FINAL PART OF THE PLACE COMMAND:
THIS IS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF MANNERLY MUTTS AND ROBIN RUBIN. INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOMED TO USE THESE INSTRUCTIONS, BUT THESE ARE NOT FOR DISBURSEMENT BY PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS FOR THEIR OWN USE. NOR SHOULD INDIVIDUALS BE DISBURSING THESE DIRECTIONS WITHOUT THE SOLE PERMISSION OF MANNERLY MUTTS AND ROBIN RUBIN.
So now your dog is walking onto the place item consistently by themselves (you are still close to the edge of the place when they go), and remaining in the boarders while you circle them (also from no more than a few inches away.
It is time to introduce the "send" from a distance (a short distance to start) and place as you walk away a distance (a short distance to start).
STEP 1: You may want to switch to the 15' longe line at this point. You can take up any slack that you need. Be sure that you have the training collar on your dog and the leash on your dog. (if you are proficient at the e-collar, you may not need the leash at this point). The place item should be in the middle of the area that you are working in.
STEP 2: As you walk towards your place item, stop a few feet short of where it is, extend your arm, and say "place".
STEP 3A: If your dog does not walk onto the place item themselves, there is a few things that you can do. (1) If you have good aim and will hit the place item (not off the place item in other words) you can extend your arm and throw a treat onto the place item, as you say place. If any feet are off, you can use your body or leash to correct it so that all four feet are on the place mat. (2) You can use your body and leash without the treats to guide your dog onto the place mat. (3) If you are using the electronic collar, you can use a low continuous to indicate (with help if needed with your body and/or leash) when they are on the correct place item.
STEP 3B: If your dog does walk onto the place item themselves, you can say "good boy/girl" and give a pat if it won't make them go off the place board.
STEP 4: Now walk away a couple of feet to do your circles. Keep eyes on the dog so you can provide a well timed correction should they think of walking off the place item.
STEP 5A: Should the dog attempt to leave the place you can (1) quickly step forward into the dog so they go back onto the place (2) use the leash to move them back onto the place or (3) use the electronic collar to indicate that they walk onto the place.
STEP 5B: Should the dog stay on the place, please tell them that is a "good place" or "good boy/girl". Be sure that you haven't inadvertently made either of these a release word.
STEP 6: At the point that you are ready to release your dog, WALK BACK TO THE PLACE ITEM. Then you can give them your release word and walk off with them.
You don't want to increase the distance of the send or the walk away until the dog is dealing with the distance with successful performances four out of five times.
It is time to introduce the "send" from a distance (a short distance to start) and place as you walk away a distance (a short distance to start).
STEP 1: You may want to switch to the 15' longe line at this point. You can take up any slack that you need. Be sure that you have the training collar on your dog and the leash on your dog. (if you are proficient at the e-collar, you may not need the leash at this point). The place item should be in the middle of the area that you are working in.
STEP 2: As you walk towards your place item, stop a few feet short of where it is, extend your arm, and say "place".
STEP 3A: If your dog does not walk onto the place item themselves, there is a few things that you can do. (1) If you have good aim and will hit the place item (not off the place item in other words) you can extend your arm and throw a treat onto the place item, as you say place. If any feet are off, you can use your body or leash to correct it so that all four feet are on the place mat. (2) You can use your body and leash without the treats to guide your dog onto the place mat. (3) If you are using the electronic collar, you can use a low continuous to indicate (with help if needed with your body and/or leash) when they are on the correct place item.
STEP 3B: If your dog does walk onto the place item themselves, you can say "good boy/girl" and give a pat if it won't make them go off the place board.
STEP 4: Now walk away a couple of feet to do your circles. Keep eyes on the dog so you can provide a well timed correction should they think of walking off the place item.
STEP 5A: Should the dog attempt to leave the place you can (1) quickly step forward into the dog so they go back onto the place (2) use the leash to move them back onto the place or (3) use the electronic collar to indicate that they walk onto the place.
STEP 5B: Should the dog stay on the place, please tell them that is a "good place" or "good boy/girl". Be sure that you haven't inadvertently made either of these a release word.
STEP 6: At the point that you are ready to release your dog, WALK BACK TO THE PLACE ITEM. Then you can give them your release word and walk off with them.
You don't want to increase the distance of the send or the walk away until the dog is dealing with the distance with successful performances four out of five times.