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      Send to Place

      This trick will help teach your dog to go to his "place"

      Send to Place

      Send to Place

      Introduction

      The "send to place" command is a great way to keep your dog out of trouble and to teach them to relax and be calm. It is also a useful command for when you need your dog to stay in one place, such as when you are cooking dinner or answering the door.

      Things you may need:

      • A "place" mat or bed
      • A leash and collar
      • Treats or other rewards

      Common Misconceptions

      • Misconception: You need to use aversive methods, such as punishment, to teach your dog to go to their "place."
      • Fact: You can teach your dog to go to their "place" using positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise.
      • Misconception: Once your dog knows the "place" command, they will always go to their mat or bed when you ask them to.
      • Fact: Even dogs who know the "place" command may sometimes not want to go to their mat or bed. This is especially true if there is something more interesting going on in the environment.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase

      1. walk your dog toward their cot/blanket and begin getting them comfortable going onto it.
      2. Begin walking your dog up to the bed and encourage them to turn around to face you.
      3. Once your dog is regularly going onto the bed and facing you begin asking for the down command (assuming they know down at this point)
      4. Repeat step 3 and begin adding some distance from you and their bed. 

      Reinforcing Phase

      1. Repeat the steps above from various locations and distances away from your dog's cot until he can reliably go to the cot on command.
      2. If your dog is having challenges going to the cot from a distance, try the following:
        • Have your dog stay next to you in a "Sit" position.
        • Take a treat to the cot and place it there.
        • Return your attention to your dog and deliver the "place" command.
        • Each success should be marked and rewarded.

      Proofing Phase

      1. Start practicing "place" around other environments with more energy and distraction.
      2. Add distance and duration gradually over time.

      Maintenance Phase

      1. Consistently practice send to place in every obedience session, reinforcing variably over time upon completions.
      2. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.

      It is important to be patient and consistent throughout the training process. It may take some time for your dog to learn how to do this behavior, but with time and effort, they will be able to do it.

      Here are some additional tips for training your dog to do the "send to place" behavior:

      • Be patient and don't get frustrated if your dog doesn't get it right away.
      • Break the behavior down into small steps and start with the easiest step first.
      • Gradually increase the difficulty of the steps as your dog gets better.
      • Practice the behavior in different environments and with different distractions.

      Case Studies

      Here are a few case studies of dogs who have learned to go to their "place" from any distance and location nearby:

      • Case Study 1: A golden retriever named Buddy was taught to go to his "place" by his owner. Buddy's owner started by teaching him the basic "place" command and then gradually increased the distance between them. Buddy eventually learned to go to his "place" from any location in the house.
      • Case Study 2: A German shepherd named Daisy was taught to go to her "place" by her trainer. Daisy's trainer used positive reinforcement methods to teach her the command. Daisy was very motivated by treats, so she quickly learned to go to her "place" from any location.
      • Case Study 3: A chihuahua named Taco was taught to go to his "place" by his owner. Taco's owner started by teaching him the basic "place" command and then gradually introduced distractions. Taco was a little bit more challenging to train than the other dogs, but with patience and consistency, he eventually learned to go to his "place" from any location, even with distractions present.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      Here are a few tips for pet parents who are trying to teach their dogs to go to their "place" from any distance and location nearby:

      • Be patient and consistent with your training. It may take some time for your dog to learn how to do this command.
      • Don't force your dog to go to their "place." If they are not willing to go, take a break and try again later.
      • Use positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, to reward your dog for good behavior.
      • Practice the command in different environments and with different distractions.

      Conclusion

      Teaching your dog to go to their "place" is a great way to keep them safe and out of trouble. It is also a useful command for when you need your dog to stay in one place. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to go to their "place" from any distance and location nearby.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: How long does it take to teach a dog to go to their "place"?
        A: It depends on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn the command in a few weeks, while others may take months or even years.
      • Q: What if my dog doesn't want to go to their "place"?
        A: If your dog doesn't want to go to their "place," take a break and try again later. You can also try making their "place" more comfortable by putting a blanket or toy