Place / Settle
Teaching Bryn to go to a designated spot and relax there — an essential life skill for calm household behavior and public outings.
Adolescent Note
Place is an adolescent dog's greatest challenge and greatest asset. The adolescent brain says 'I should be doing something!' — place teaches her that doing nothing IS the something. Start with short durations and high-value rewards. This skill pays dividends for years.
Training Stages
Build a positive association with the mat itself.
- Place a mat on the floor. The moment Bryn shows any interest (looks at it, steps toward it, sniffs it), mark and treat.
- Toss treats onto the mat to encourage her to step on it.
- When she's stepping onto the mat readily, start marking and treating for downs on the mat.
- Feed multiple treats in position to build duration on the mat.
Advance When
Bryn goes to the mat and lies down without being asked, 8 out of 10 times when the mat is placed down.
Watch Out
Luring her onto the mat — let her discover that the mat is magical on her own. Shaping builds stronger behavior.
Moving the mat too soon. Build a rock-solid association in one location first.
Tips
Feed treats between her front paws to encourage a relaxed down rather than a sphinx-like alert down.
Use a portable mat you can take anywhere — this becomes her 'calm zone' in any environment.
Pair a cue with going to the mat and build relaxed duration.
- Say "place" (or "go to your mat") and gesture toward the mat.
- When she goes and lies down, mark and begin feeding treats slowly — one every 5–10 seconds.
- Gradually space out the treats: every 10 sec → 20 → 30 → 60.
- Release with "okay!" or "free!" and toss a treat away from the mat.
Advance When
Bryn goes to her mat on cue and stays there relaxed for 2 minutes with intermittent treats.
Watch Out
Only treating for alert behavior on the mat. Reward relaxation signs: hip rolls, deep breaths, soft eyes.
Making the mat a punishment ('go to your place!'). It should always feel like the best spot in the house.
Tips
Give her a long-lasting chew on the mat to build positive associations with staying there.
Practice during your meals — mat goes next to the dinner table, treats for calm behavior while you eat.
Generalize the mat behavior to public spaces and novel environments.
- Practice in different rooms of the house.
- Take the mat to a friend's house. Start from Stage 1 criteria.
- Practice at a café or outdoor restaurant (on leash, with high-value treats).
- Practice with increasing distractions: people walking by, other dogs at a distance.
Advance When
Bryn settles on her mat in a public setting for 5+ minutes with periodic treat reinforcement.
Watch Out
Expecting the same performance in a new environment. Each new location resets difficulty significantly.
Staying too long for her current level. Start with 2-minute outings and build up.
Tips
A tired dog is an easier training partner for public place work. Exercise her beforehand.
This skill makes café trips, vet waits, and house guests SO much easier. Worth the investment.
Proofing — The 3 Ds
⏱
Duration
5 min → 10 min → 20 min → 30+ min.
📏
Distance
Start next to the mat, then move around the room.
🐿️
Distraction
Quiet house → house with activity → front porch → outdoor café → friend's house with their dog.
Generalization
The beauty of a portable mat is that it creates a 'calm bubble' anywhere. Practice in 5+ locations. The mat itself becomes the cue for relaxation — she should visibly relax when the mat appears.
Troubleshooting
Bryn goes to the mat but won't settle — stays alert and fidgety
She may be too stimulated or not tired enough. Exercise her first. Then reward relaxation specifically: deep breaths, hip rolls, putting her head down. Don't just reward 'being on the mat.'
Bryn won't stay on the mat when you move around
You're adding distance too fast. Use a tether (leash clipped to furniture near the mat) as a safety net while you practice moving around. Keep returning to treat her frequently.
Related Skills
Down (Lie Down)
Teaching Bryn to lie down on cue — a calm, stable position that's the foundation for settle and place work.
Stay / Wait
Teaching Bryn to hold her current position until released — the backbone of impulse control and safety.