The “Place” Command
A “place” command is one of the most useful and most used of all of the dog obedience commands. It is great for practical and also safety reasons - it can be used in many situations everyday including:
When visitors arrive use the "Go To Your Place" command to redirect their behavior.
If a dog is barking excessively you can call on this obedience command which acts as an alternate behavior for your dog to perform.
When you sit down for a meal send the dogs to their spot to eat uninterrupted.
One thing to always keep in mind when applying the Go To Your Place command is that you don't want it to feel like a punishment to your dog. In other words don't always use it when your dog is in trouble, try to make it a positive, fun place for your dog to retreat to.
Follow the steps below to build the Go To Your Place command slowly. Start out so it's easy for your dog to understand, then gradually make it harder by adding other variables (duration, distance and distractions).
1. Choose your designated spot (make sure it's a nice and comfortable place), attach a label to it ("Go To Your Bed" "Go To Your Mat" etc.) and stick with it.
2. Stand with your dog about 1-2 meters from the chosen spot. Say "Go To Your Place" while pointing towards the spot. At the same time throw one of your dogs very favorite treats onto the mat. Your dog is sure to rush over to the bed to collect the tasty treat. As soon as he/she collects the treat be sure to praise enthusiastically.
3. Repeat step 2 many many times to reinforce the behavior. This also builds a connection in your dog’s mind between you saying "Go To Your Place" and pointing, with the act of going over to the place. At this point it's important to note that the treat is acting as a lure to entice your dog over to the bed - this will eventually change.
4. Now gradually increase the distance between where you and your dog are standing and the bed. Continue to practice "Go To Your Place", point, throw the treat and then praise.
5. It's now time to change the job of the treat from being a lure to being a reward for the desired behavior. It goes like this - say "Go To Your Place" while pointing towards the mat, but this time do not throw the treat. By now your dog will most probably understand that your verbal command and pointing means that you want her to go to her spot. If she responds to your command by going to her bed you then give the treat (rewarding the behavior) and lavish her with praise. If your dog doesn't "get it" go back a step by using the treat as a lure again.
6. Continue step 5 over and over again. You can practice at any time throughout the day, it doesn't have to be a set training time. Also mix up the place where you request your dog to "Go To Your Place" from. Say it close to the mat, then further away and eventually even from a different room (don't move too fast though).
7. You can now add other elements to this command. One at a time you could add a distraction such as having another person in the room bouncing a ball or put your dog’s food bowl down then request the "Go To Your Place".
8. I would advise to add the dog obedience down command to this exercise once you have taught it. It is easier for a dog to remain settled in place in a down.
9. After a while you should fade and vary your rewards. You can give the treat every second or third time your dog goes to her bed, or you could give a chew toy as the reward instead of the tasty treat.
Going advanced for the field….
The “place” command is a great tool to introduce to retrievers since hunters often need their dogs to stay and work from a distance, be it 10 feet or 20 yards. And retrievers should be comfortable sitting and staying on less-than-comfortable structures, such as downed logs in beaver swamps or small platforms in marsh.
To teach more challenging “place” locations, you can get creative. Use an old tire as a backyard “place” training tool. It provides a slightly elevated platform that helps a dog understand that this is its “place.” Cut a board to fit the top of the tire, and secure in place with screws.
One unusual “place”. With the dog on a leash and a treat in your non-leash hand, lead the dog to the “place” stand. Using the hand with the treat, point with your finger to the stand, say “place,” and use the treat to guide the dog up to the stand. Give the treat the instant the dog sits. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Two unusual places. Once the dog knows “place,” set up a route with multiple stations for the “place” command. Use a few cinder blocks or a low wooden box (1-2”) with a doormat or carpet on top, and other items that provide a well-defined place to sit. Once your pup is solid on the command, add stations with no elevation, such as rubber doormats--this becomes useful in field training as we often use a mat to define the working line, and you can also put mats or box stands out to define destinations for casting training.
Tough places. Add “place” stations that have a degree of difficulty or instability to your training route. If you are going to hunt from a boat, train “place” for their dog platform. If you hunt swamp or flooded timber teach a “place” to a stump or downed tree. The idea is that the dog should willingly go to and stay where you send them.