How to Train Your Dog the Place Command

A lot of people teach Place by putting their dog on a bed and trying to figure it out.

That’s why it doesn’t hold.

Place means:

Your dog goes to a spot — and stays there until released.

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Step 1: Get Your Dog Onto Place + Introduce the Command

Use:

• Dog Bed, Cot, anything elevated

• Lead your dog onto the object

• Take your hand out flat

• Say “Place”

You are clearly showing:

“This is where you need to be.”

(Allow movement, just not leaving the object)

Step Back + Reward Inside Place

• Take one step back

• If your dog stays, go back and reward on Place

Do NOT call them off to reward.

If you reward off the Place:

Your dog learns:

“Leave the command = getting rewarded.”

Rewarding inside Place teaches:

“This is where I win.”

Step 2: Redirect Every Break + Reset Immediately

If your dog steps off:

• Say “No”

• Give an abrupt leash pop

• Bring them back onto Place

• Say the command

Then step back again.

This creates clear communication:

Stay = reward

Leave = correction

Step 3: Build Distance (The System)

Now build it out:

• 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet

Each "Build Up":

• Step back

• Return

• Reward on Place

You are not guessing — Your progressing.

Understand the Progression

This is where most people mess up — You're going to use the “What’s the difference?" philosophy.

Whats the difference between:

• 1 foot vs 2 feet

• 5 feet vs 10 feet

• 20 feet vs 40 feet

To the dog: It’s the same command.

Slowly, you're increasing the distance.

Build it gradually — that's better then take big jumps in the beginning.

Step 4: Add Real Distance + Disengagement

Now progress:

• Step further away

• Turn your back

• Walk away

• Sitting down

• Come back and reward

Same rule applies: If they break — redirect and reset.

Push to Real-World Situations

Train with real world situation like sitting on a couch for an extend period of time.

Each time:

• Going back a rewarding

• Pushing the time and distancing a bit longer

• Rewarding (The more the dog gives you, the more you give them.)

If they fail: Go back to the last successful simulation.

Once consistently successful you can start releasing recalling from the place command and making jump ups with distance/time greater.

Key Takeaway

Place is built through:

• Clear position

• Immediate redirection

• Gradual distance

• Rewarding on the spot

If you reward off the Place — you break the command.

At Elite K9 Service, Place means: Wait there until released.