We asked several different trainers what the place command meant to them…. Here is what they have said.
The place board is a boundary in which the dog must remain in. The dog can lay down however they would like. The dog can roll over be on it’s back, roll on its hip, curl up into a ball while still respecting the boundaries of the board or “place”. The dog may be increasingly stimulated by things around them making it hard to to remain in bounds of the place therefor working on self control and duration. The “place” command does not have to be a formal place board. It can be a towel, a platform, a bed, or even a park bench.
-Sarah Angerman
Manners Matter K9 Training
I explain a place board as an added boundary and threshold that a dog uses to learn not only how to respect boundaries but how to self soothe & calm their brain in the presence of stimuli.
-Laura Lawrance
Fiercely Loyal K-9, LLC.
I Use the place command to let the dog learn the art of doing nothing and it’s beneficial because it’s my behavior savior for when I am busy and I can allow my dog to do nothing while understanding they have a task and give them mental stimulation at the same time!
-Tom Larity
Costal Pines K9
“Place” is first taught as a “safe-zone” for each pup. We don’t allow visitation from people or pups while the dog is on Place. We want each pup to feel secure enough to fully check out. Whether it be used for when we are cooking, between play and work sessions to help cool down , as a piece of mobile equipment to help create a clear picture in a chaotic environment or a way for us to have multiple pups out at once while we binge Stranger Things, Place has a way of being applicable to many situations by allowing the pups to be a part of things, without being the center of attention. Place isn’t an end all be all, but it can be a strong piece to the puzzle.
-Hampton Brooks
Eastern Shore canine
