How to teach a puppy the “Place” command

The “Place” command is an important command in a dog’s life. It is very convenient when the pet can go to his mattress or to the cage and calmly stay there if necessary. However, many owners have difficulty learning this command. How to teach a puppy the “Place” command? The advice of the world famous dog trainer Victoria Stilwell will help you with this.

Victoria Stilwell’s 7 Tips for Teaching Your Puppy the “Place” Command

1. Put your puppy’s favorite treat on his mattress or in his crate. As soon as the puppy is in place, say “Place” and praise the baby.
2. Say the command “Place” and then in front of the puppy, throw a treat in the cage or place it on the mattress to encourage the puppy to go there. As soon as he does this, praise the pet.
3. Quickly give out several pieces of treat one at a time until the puppy is out of the cage or off the mattress so that the baby understands that it is profitable to stay here! If the puppy has left the place, do not say anything, but stop giving treats and praise immediately. Then increase the time intervals between dispensing pieces.
4. Start using rewards in such a way that the puppy does not know at what point in his stay he will get a treat: at the very beginning or after a certain period of time.
5. Buy the right behavior. Even if you didn’t ask the puppy to go to the place, but he himself went to the cage or to the couch, be sure to say “Place”, praise him and treat him.
6. Never use a cage to punish a dog! And don’t send her to her place as a punishment for a misdeed. A dog’s “den” is not a prison, but a place where it should feel good, where it feels safe, and it should be associated with positive emotions.
7. Never force your dog into a crate or hold it on the bed. But don’t forget to reward when she’s there: petting, giving treats, chewing toys, depending on your pet’s preferences.

You can learn more about how to raise and train a puppy in a humane way from our video course “An obedient puppy without the hassle”.