The Military-Precision 'Place' Command: The Off-Switch for a Hyper Dog

The Military-Precision 'Place' Command: The Off-Switch for a Hyper Dog

The doorbell rings and your dog erupts into a frenzy of barking and jumping. You’re trying to cook dinner, but you’re constantly tripping over a dog demanding attention under your feet. Guests are over, and they can't relax because your dog won't settle down.

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you need the 'Place' command.

This isn't just another 'Stay'. In my experience, from the rigorous world of military working dogs to the chaos of the family home, the 'Place' command is the single most effective tool for teaching a dog calmness and impulse control. It provides a clear job for your dog, giving them a sense of purpose and structure that is incredibly calming for their state of mind.

Think of it as a designated "off-switch." It’s a command that says, "Your job right now is to go to your spot and relax until I tell you otherwise." It is the ultimate management tool and the foundation of a well-mannered dog in the home. Here is the protocol to teach it.

What You'll Need

  1. A Designated 'Place': This should be an object with clear boundaries. A raised dog cot is ideal because the height makes the boundary obvious. A distinct dog bed, a bath mat, or even a towel can also work. It should be in a location where your dog can see you but is out of the main traffic flow of the room.

  2. High-Value Rewards: Use something your dog loves, like small pieces of chicken, cheese, or their favorite training treats.

Phase 1: Introducing the 'Place'

The goal of this phase is to make the 'Place' object the best spot in the house.

  1. Lure Your Dog: Start close to the 'Place' object. With a treat in your hand, guide your dog onto it. The moment all four paws are on the mat, say your marker word (like "Yes!") and give the treat.

  2. Add the Command: As your dog gets the hang of being lured, start saying the word "Place" just as they are about to step onto the object. Mark and reward.

  3. Introduce the Release: Your dog must learn that they can only leave the 'Place' when you say so. After they get their treat on the mat, use a release word like "Break" or "Free" in an upbeat tone and toss a treat a few feet away from the mat to encourage them to get off.

  4. Repeat: Keep these sessions short (2-5 minutes) and always end on a positive note. At this stage, you are just building a positive association with the object and the command.

Phase 2: Building Duration

Now we teach the dog that 'Place' doesn't just mean touching the object, but staying on it.

  1. Give the "Place" command. When your dog is on the mat, wait one or two seconds, then mark and reward. Release them with "Break."

  2. Gradually increase the time you wait before rewarding. Start with 3 seconds, then 5, then 10. Reward your dog for calmness while they are waiting on the place. If they are lying down and relaxed, that's a perfect time for a reward.

  3. If your dog gets off before the release word, don't scold them. Simply say "No" and calmly guide them back onto the place. Reset your duration back to a shorter time they can be successful with.

Phase 3: Adding Distance

Your dog must learn to stay on the place even when you aren't standing right next to it.

  1. With your dog on the place, take one step back. Immediately step forward again, mark, and reward. Release.

  2. Gradually increase the distance. Take two steps back, then return to reward. Walk a small circle around the 'Place' object. The key is to return and reward before your dog decides to break command.

  3. Slowly build up to the point where you can walk to the other side of the room while your dog remains on their place.

Phase 4: Adding Distractions (Proofing)

This is where the command becomes reliable in the real world.

  1. Start with small, controlled distractions. While your dog is in 'Place', knock on a wall. If they stay, reward them heavily.

  2. Have another person walk calmly through the room. Drop a toy on the floor.

  3. Gradually build up to the real-life scenarios: knock on your actual front door, then progress to ringing the doorbell. Always start with a level of distraction where your dog can still succeed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using 'Place' as a Punishment: The 'Place' must always be a positive, calm space. Never send your dog there in anger.

  • Forgetting the Release Word: The command is only effective if it has a clear beginning ("Place") and a clear end ("Break"). If you let the dog decide when it's over, the command loses its meaning.

  • Rushing the Process: Every dog learns at a different pace. If your dog is struggling, take a step back to the previous phase where they were successful. Patience and consistency are everything.

By investing the time to teach this command, you are not just getting a neat trick. You are creating a calmer, more confident dog who understands structure and can be a pleasure to live with, no matter what's going on around them.

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