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      Placework Intro

      This teaches your dog how to stay calm in a certain location. The raised borders of a cot or elevated dog bed help to define boundaries inside the specified "place" setting.

      Introduction

      Placework is a behavior where your dog stays in a designated area, such as a mat or bed. It is a useful skill for dogs to know in many situations, such as when you have guests over, when you are cooking dinner, or when you are trying to get some work done.

      Things you may need:

      • A mat or bed that is specifically designed for placework.
      • A clicker or a verbal marker, such as "yes" or "good".
      • Treats that your dog loves.

      Common Misconceptions

      Some people think that placework is a boring or restrictive behavior. However, this is not the case. Placework can be a fun and rewarding experience for dogs, and it can also help them to learn other important skills, such as impulse control and calmness.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase:

      • Phase 1: Lure training

        • Have your dog next to you.
        • Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and lure them onto the cot.
        • As your dog steps onto the cot, mark the behavior with a clicker or a verbal marker, such as "yes" or "good".
        • Immediately give your dog the treat.
        • Repeat steps 1-3 several times until your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you lure them.

      • Phase 2: Adding the cue word

        • Once your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you lure them, you can start to add the cue word "place".
        • As you are luring your dog onto the cot, say the cue word "place" just before they step onto it.
        • Mark and reward the behavior as usual.
        • Repeat steps 1-3 several times until your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you say the cue word "place".

      • Phase 3: Removing the lure

        • Once your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you say the cue word "place", you can start to remove the lure.
        • To do this, simply stand next to the cot and say the cue word "place".
        • If your dog steps onto the cot, mark and reward the behavior.
        • Repeat steps 1-3 several times until your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you say the cue word "place" without the lure.

      • Phase 4: Increasing the difficulty

        • Once your dog is consistently stepping onto the cot when you say the cue word "place" without the lure, you can start to increase the difficulty.
        • You can do this by practicing in a different location, such as a different room or outside.
        • You can also start to add distractions, such as other people or animals.
        • Repeat steps 1-3 several times until your dog is able to step onto the cot when you say the cue word "place" in different locations and with distractions present.

      Proofing Phase:

      • Phase 5: Maintenance Phase:
        • Once your dog has learned to go to their place on command, it is important to maintain the behavior.
        • You can do this by practicing regularly and by rewarding your dog for going to their place when you say the cue word "place".
        • If your dog starts to forget the behavior, you can go back to the earlier phases and start practicing again.

      Case Studies

      There are many success stories of dogs who have learned placework. One such story is that of a dog named Buddy. Buddy was a rescue dog who was very excited and had a hard time staying calm. However, with patience and training, he learned placework and was able to stay calm in many different situations.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      Here are a few tips for pet parents who are teaching their dogs placework:

      • Be patient and consistent. It takes time and patience to teach a dog placework. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and they will eventually learn.
      • Make sure your dog is comfortable on the mat or bed. If your dog is not comfortable, they are less likely to want to stay there.
      • Start with short training sessions. Don't try to teach your dog too much at once.
      • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog for their efforts, even if they don't get it perfect right away.

      Conclusion

      Placework is a valuable skill that every dog should learn. It can help your dog to stay calm in many different situations, and it can also help them to learn other important skills, such as impulse control and obedience. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog placework and enjoy the benefits of this important behavior.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: What if my dog doesn't stay on the mat?
        A: If your dog doesn't stay on the mat, you can try to lure them back with a treat. You can also try to make the mat more comfortable for them by putting a blanket or towel on it.
      • Q: What if my dog gets up off the mat when I'm not looking?
        A: If your dog gets up off the mat when you're not looking, you can try to be more consistent with your marking and rewarding. You can also try to make the mat more interesting for your dog by putting a toy or treat on it.
      • Q: What if my dog doesn't want to go on the mat?
        A: If your dog doesn't want to go on the mat, you can try to make it more appealing to them. You can put a treat on the mat, or you can play a game with them on the mat.