The Place Command: Teach Your Dog to Settle Anywhere
If you’ve ever wished your dog could just… chill, the place command is your answer. Place training is one of the most versatile dog training commands you’ll teach, allowing your dog to settle anywhere—from hiking trails to brewery patios. This comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to train the place command, what gear you need, and how to use it in real-world situations.
It is the command that allows me to go to breweries, do my work in peace, allow trail users to pass, enjoy a meal with friends, and practice good behavior in hotels or in friend’s homes.
What are the Benefits of Teaching the Place Command?
The place command is a dog training cue that teaches your dog to go to a specific location (like a mat, cot, or elevated surface) and remain there in a relaxed position until released. Unlike ‘stay,’ place requires a defined boundary and emphasizes calm, settled behavior.”
It gives your dog a job to do instead of the job they choose for themselves, like jumping on guests or barking out the window. When your dog chooses their own job, it usually displays in undesirable behaviors, such as:
- Barking at the doorbell
- Rushing to the door
- Jumping on guests
- Begging at the dinner table
- Getting into trouble at home (eating things they shouldn’t, shredding their toys, etc.)
- Jumping out of the car without permission
Put simply, “place” means “go-to-the-spot-I-tell-you-and-stay-there-until-I-release-you.” In this command, your dog has no choice but to stay there. And they do it like it’s their job, because it is.
When to use the Place Command
I use the place command all the time, every single day, in a variety of situations. At home, if he’s not in his crate, he’s most likely in place. This gives him structure during the day when we’re together and reminds him that he doesn’t just get to do what he wants at home.
The command also translates especially well to our outdoor adventures and traveling. I use it constantly on our adventures. Here are a few examples of where I ask for “place”:
We practice good hiking etiquette by pulling over to the side when others pass. I can point to a rock or a stump and tell my dogs to “place!”
At camp, I bring a dog travel bed and ask Sitka to “place” while I set up the tent, eat a meal, cook dinner, or any other task I need to do where I need him to stay put.
I use “place” for paddle boarding. This is how I taught Sitka to get up onto my board and stay still while we paddle. Otherwise, he’d move around a lot and send us both into the water.
Want your dog to stay put for photos? Place command, baby. I pick the spot I want Sitka to pose and say “place” and he knows what to do.
Breweries and restaurant patios. This is one of my most favorite spots to use the place command! We love hitting up a local brewery after a hike and I don’t want to have to worry about Sitka reacting to all of the stimuli.
I bring a mat and ask him to place so he can chill and relax while I enjoy my beer.
Best Place Place Cots for Dogs
The great thing about the place command is that you don’t need a lot of tools or special gear to get started. Aside from a place mat of some sort, you’ll need food and a leash.
I personally began training with a cot, but once you teach the concept, you can pair the command with any object with discernable boundaries.
Here are a few favorite place boards I use personally and with clients:
top pick
Kuranda Elevated Dog Bed
- ✅ Chew proof
- ✅ Can support up to 100 lbs
- ✅ Wipe clean easily
- ✅ OK for outdoor use
budget pick
K&H Elevated Dog Bed
- ✅ Chew proof
- ✅ Can support up to 200 lbs
- ✅ Wipe clean easily
- ✅ OK for outdoor use
- ❌ Not as durable as other beds
dog trainer’s secret!
Acrimet Nap Cot for Kids
- ❌ May not be as chew proof
- ✅ Can support up to 60 lbs
- ✅ Wipe clean easily
- ✅ OK for outdoor use
- ✅ Stackable
Alternative Place Surfaces
- Towels
- Backpacks
- Car
- Logs
- Rocks
- Scale (handy for the vet!)
- Door mat (to keep muddy paws outside before cleaning)
- Blankets
In the “wild,” or when you find yourself in a situation where you need to use the place command, but don’t have your dog’s bed with you, you can use tons of objects as “place boards.”
I mentioned that I use rocks and logs above. You can also use any of the following:
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Chairs
How to Teach the Place Command
Begin working in a low-distraction area, such as your house. As your dog masters the command there, gradually build to higher-distraction areas. Keep sessions short, no more than 10 minutes.
First Teach a terminal marker
Before teaching your dog the word “place,” you first have to teach your dog a terminal marker. If your dog doesn’t know that there is a release word, then they don’t know that they are supposed to hold that position until you say otherwise.
Learn how to charge your yes marker with this video.
Introducing the Command
Now that your dog knows they need to wait for a release cue, you can teach them what “place” means.
- Put your dog on a 6′ foot leash, ideally with a martingale collar or use a slip lead.
- Hold the leash close to your dog’s collar and walk your dog to the cot. Position yourself so that you can walk past the cot. If you stop at the cot, your dog will stop. You want to keep moving.
- Your dog will do one of three things: 1) stop as soon as you reach the cot, 2) hop around to the side of the cot to avoid walking on, or 3) walk up and over the cot. You need to prepare for these scenarios.
- If your dog stops, start over and keep moving past the cot. You may need to position yourself in front of them, on the opposite side of the cot to encourage them to go on. Keep your leash short.
- If your dog hops around, do the same as in #4. Keep the leash short. You can try squatting to the ground and patting the cot.
- If your dog walks over and off, put the breaks on the leash by pulling back as soon as they step onto the cot.
- Once all four paws are on the cot, say “yes”, step back, reach for food, and feed. Don’t worry about saying “place” right now.
- Repeat, approaching and releasing from different angles.
- Once your dog gets the hang of the motion, you can start naming the command.
Tip: I personally don’t care if my dog sits or lies down on place in the beginning. They just need to stay on the cot. They will eventually lie down, but the first step is teaching them that they must stay on place until instructed otherwise.
Increasing Duration
Once your dog understands what “place” means, you can start building duration.
Start with just a few seconds, then reward. Then five. Then 10. Then minutes. Use your duration marker to let your dog know they need to stay in position. I say “good.” Make sure to incorporate lots of breaks when you’re starting out so that your dog doesn’t become too tired or frustrated.
Best Locations to Practice Place Command Training
Now that your dog is really fluent with the place command, you’ll want to up the ante by going to distracting locations. There are a ton of really great spots to practice.
Need ideas for spots to train your dog with the place command?
- A local park
- Outside of a dog park
- On a bike path
- At a popular urban recreating spot, like a lake
- Home Depot or Lowes
- Breweries
- Floral nurseries
- Skate park
- Near a school (time it for when school lets out or during recess)
- By a playground
Troubleshooting Common Mistakes
Both you and your dog will make mistakes during any kind of training. If your dog breaks command during place training, simply say “nope” or “uh-uh” and lead your dog back to the cot with their leash and your body position. Do not reward when your dog breaks the command, just put them back on place.
Practice place command regularly and your dog will become a master in no time. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy happy hour with friends, knocks on the door without commotion, and a relaxed dog indoors.
Have you taught your dog the place command?
How has your dog’s behavior changed as a result of teaching the place command?
This article is gold! I have been working on relaxation protocol and place, and this article ties everything together nicely.
Aw this makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for sharing and good luck with the place training!
Your articles you provide on your blog are the most useful and practical of any that I have read by trainers and the like. They are fabulous. I’ve read a lot on this subject as I have struggled with getting my dogs to be as well behaved as I know they should, and could! Your informative, well written articles are such a great service for those of us who want to succeed in helping our dogs be the best they can be and our relationship with them as productive and healthy as possible. Thank you, Jen! I recommend you publish as booklet (or book) that includes these blogs on all these different subjects, so all of us would have access to this information whenever we need it and when different situations arise with handling our dear canine friends.
You’re too kind, Sue! I’m so glad that you’re finding my tips helpful. I do have some ideas I’m working on, so be on the lookout for some new products coming soon, hopefully!
We have a 3 month old Havanese and am beginning training at home for now. He’s practicing sit, take it, leave it, and off.
What is the difference between stay and place? We need to start working on this behavior since he is a natural jumper.
They’re similar in a way, however, I don’t actually use “stay” with my dog. Sit means Sit. Down means Down. I don’t have to reinforce it with a second word. I’ve taught him that commands mean “keep doing what you’re doing until I say otherwise.” Place is meant to teach your dog to relax on command and give them a spot where they can be around scary things (like the vacuum), or contain their energy (at a brewery or when new people come over). It can be used while you’re working or eating or making dinner to keep your dog out of the kitchen and away from food. Essentially, it gives them a job when they would otherwise go and find something else to do on their own (rip up toys/furniture, find shoes, beg for food, etc.). Hopefully this makes sense!
I’ve been training my dog to “stay” but he runs towards me if I’m too far or if I walk into the other room. He also knows ” go to bed” when he needs to go into his crate. Is “place” too similar that it will confuse him?
I don’t think so, because they’re not the same thing. Place requires an object with obvious boundaries (bed, cot, car seat, rock, stump, etc.). I personally don’t use “stay” anymore, as my trainer taught me that “sit” means “sit” and that adding stay is redundant. So if your dog does seem confused at any point you could try eliminating stay entirely.
Thanks so much for this. It brings together things that I have been doing in a really useful, pratical way. From when she was little I taught my dog to go to her mat and wait for her meal until I said so. When she was particularly hungry, she would run over and throw one paw on the mat baseball-style (made me smile, but never worked!!). Whenever we are away from home and it’s feeding time, she will look around for something mat-like to go run and lie on, so looks like she is already on board with the place idea. This will be an awesome skill to perfect to help her to relax in all kinds of settings. I love the relaxation protocol that you recommend too. So thanks again for such a useful post!
That’s very cute that she tries to get away with “touching the base!” Sounds like she has a great base already and you can keep the word “mat” if you want or change it to “place,” she’ll get the picture. I have no doubt she’ll be a real pro with some practice!
Thanks for the info. Very much needed and I will try and get my 8 month old very excitable German shepherd to learn the ‘place’ command. So much to read, hear and learn. On top of a busy active life. Hey ho. This sounds so practical and useful.
I’ll let you know how we get on.
Lunging at sheep and traffic is her worst problem!!!! Desperate for help…..
The place command will go a long way! If you’re desperate for help, definitely consider hiring a trainer! You won’t be sorry!
Thanks for this article. We’re getting a golden retriever puppy in a few weeks and I have been doing my homework. What’s a good age to start this at? Is there such thing as too young?
I’d start right away! With puppies, using tie backs are helpful (basically using something to attach the leash to to prevent the dog from getting off their place cot) because they’re building their patience and duration.
I like that you pointed out that it is important to give the dog a break after having mistakes in the training. I will keep that in mind now that I plan to get my dog trained so that I can take him to restaurants or bars that allow them. As of now, he is really energetic to be taken out that is why I need to prepare him in order to have no issues when going to a bar with my dog.
Yes!! I love that you are working with your dog to be a good bar guest before you actually take him to the bar. Awesome dog owner right here!!
Hi Jen! I just discovered your blog and I’ve been loving the great advise/tips/tricks/etc. I have started to work on the “place” command with my dog with the main hope to be able to get her to go off trail and sit when oncoming hikers, biker, runners come by and need to pass. Once I am at the stage to practice this command in that more distracting setting, I was wondering if you knew the best way to teach the “place” command if there aren’t any stumps, rocks, or other elevated areas right off the trail? Would just pointing to the area of trail and using the command work or is there a better way to go about doing this? Thanks!
So glad you’re loving the place command! In those instances where there isn’t anything to “place” on, I’ll just ask for a sit or a down and use my body to block other dogs or people from getting to him.
Wow Amazing Blog Thank you For Sharing <3
Glad you liked it!
I will try my best to not reward my dog when they make a mistake. He just looks too cute! But I want him to behave so I’ll try my best for his sake.
Dogs definitely make it tough by being cute!
First I have to say thank you. I have a 4 year old labradoodle that was re-homed to us. Your insight and tips have been helpful. When following the Karen Relaxation protocol for each step do I release and place each time? I.e. place- down for 5 sec then release, place again then to next step release and repeat. Thanks
Oh I’m so happy to hear that the relaxation protocol has been working so well for you! You can do either! I like to release after several minutes of work to give their mind a break. Or, I give a break when I see that my dog needs one! Visible signs would be panting or continually messing up. If they mess up, do something they know well, like sit, and then release for a break.
@Jen Sotolongo, It’s a good idea to have them end training with a success rather than a mistake.
Love this article and plan to give it a try. Just one question. When exactly do you say “place?” It’s a little unclear to me. Maybe I missed something. Thanks!
You can start adding the word “place” when it’s clear that your dog has an understanding of what you’re asking from them. Then, you would add “place” before you make the motion to head to place. The motion could be you stepping toward the bed, or using leash pressure to guide your dog. Does that make sense?
Working with my new 5 month old Border Collie Rancho. I also have been using ‘stay’ when I want him to stay in one spot even if I walk away. For instance, I tell him to ‘stay’ when we are heading out the door so he doesn’t dart out ahead of me. I say ‘stay’ and he sits at the open door and doesn’t follow me out until I say “OK” or “Come.” I realize I need to settle on one word for that. How is ‘place’ different, am what I’m doing the same just with a different word? You mentions ‘place’ means having a boundary, so out on a hiking trail, for instance, or in a cafe–to you carry a mat or something like that? This sounds great and I want to get going with it but just a bit unsure. Thanks, great article!
So, my trainer taught me to eliminate the word “stay” as it is irrelevant. For example, if you say “sit,” then your dog should sit there until you give further instruction. Stay is implied. “Place” is something with an identifiable boundary (like an elevated cot to start, because of it’s very obvious boundaries). I use place when I want my dog to go somewhere to settle and be chill, while I’m cooking, when we’re on a trail and I need to create space to allow someone to pass, when we’re at a brewery, in the car, etc. I do often bring a dog mat when I go to restaurant patios!
I had already trained place, but after reading your article I started using different things for his place location and he took to that naturally. I loved how your dog remained in the car for an extended period of time! My pup is 16 weeks old and I am having trouble getting him to hold his place throughout our dinner (20 min) or even for when the doorbell rings (20-30 seconds after the doorbell). How long can I expect a 16 week old puppy to hold in place and how can I extend his place duration?
Thanks
Deb
That’s great that your dog is taking to new “places” with ease! To help with duration, I would use a backtie to ensure his success. If you are able, you can secure a bolt to the wall and clip his leash to that, or you can wrap his leash around a weight, or something heavy to ensure he stays on place. To extend duration, just practice!
Hello and thank you for the article!
How do you go about introducing new items as their place and teaching that it can mean many different spots? Rocks, patches of grass, whatever.
Thanks!!
It’s easy! Once the dog understands what the “place” command means on their bed or cot, then you can use other objects! I usually start out with something like a picnic table, since they’re in the urban “wild” and then move on to other objects like a log or rocks. Patches of grass might be a little confusing to a dog unless it’s a very small patch with defined boundaries.
This article is super useful and I will definitely try this with my parent’s dog. However, it made me sad to hear your dog is in place most of the time at home 🙁
Hey Julia! Once my dog learned the “place” command to fluency, he’s not on place all of the time. He has his choice of where to hang out during the day, provided he’s not getting into trouble. Besides, most dogs sleep during the day anyway, so place, bed, couch…is same same.
It’s really informative. Thanks Jen. 😊
Late to the party here!….but Thankyou for this article……I’m struggling with the constant woofing whilst anticipating the reward……they will pause, but as soon as I reward, he barks at me again almost in thanks! Any tips?
Never too late to the party! As far as the constant barking in anticipation of the reward, I’d say that it’s important to reward only when the dog is quiet. If you approach and they bark, turn your back and walk away, approach again when they’re quiet and repeat. It would also be helpful to know what stage you’re at in the training to give a better answer!
I read your article on place training and loved it. We’ll start this with our 4/month old puppy. Can you clarify at what point you start saying the word “place”?
Hi Dave, so glad you found the article helpful! First, you’d need to mark the behavior with the word “yes” or clicker (I have a post on marker training), then once the dog is repeatedly going to place with leash pressure and your body movement (i.e. you’re leading your dog to place using your body movement in conjunction with the leash) you can name the command.
I really needed this. My dogs have other commands down but I cannot keep them in one place with distractions. I will put this article to practice. Thank you!
So glad you found it helpful! Good luck and keep me posted!