Our Toolbox 🧰

Wish your dog had better manners when company comes over?

The place command transforms excitement into calm self-control.

Here's how to teach it reliably in 5 steps.

^{In partnership with Bedsure}

Weekly Bite

Teaching Aki the place command was surprisingly straightforward since he'd always loved jumping up on lawn furniture as a puppy.

What started as cute behavior became one of the most valuable commands I ever taught him.

The Place Command Teaches 3 Critical Skills

The place command teaches your dog three critical skills:

1. Self-regulation: How to calm themselves down

2. Impulse control: Resisting the urge to rush guests, chase distractions, or demand attention

3. Clear boundaries: Understanding exactly where they should be during specific situations

The place command is a game-changer when guests come over. Instead of your dog bombarding them at the door, they learn to go to their designated spot and stay there until released.

It's also your safety net for preventing accidents with reactive or aggressive dogs around visitors.

How To Teach The Place Command

Timeline: Most dogs understand the basic concept within one 15 minute training session.

1️⃣ Pick up an elevated bed

Make your life easier and teach them using an elevated surface.

2️⃣ Let them inspect it using their senses

Some dogs are scared of elevated beds, let them sniff it first.

3️⃣ Teach them what “Place” means

Say “place” and guide them onto the bed using a leash.

Your dog can sit, stand, or lie down on the bed - that doesn't matter.

Release guiding pressure once all four paws are on the bed, but keep the leash attached for immediate corrections if they step off.

4️⃣ Start with short sessions and use a release command

Keep them on place for a few seconds then say "okay" to release them off the bed.

Repeat this on/off sequence 3-5 times to teach them they need your permission to leave the bed, not when they decide.

5️⃣ Enforce every single time

The second one paw touches the floor without your “okay”, immediately say “no, place” and apply steady leash pressure back to the bed.

First break gets light pressure, repeated breaks get progressively firmer corrections.

5 Key Rules for Success

1. Start with short sessions in quiet rooms before adding distractions like food, toys, or guests.

2. Never leave your dog on place unsupervised initially. You must watch and enforce every break - missing even one weakens the command.

3. Understand what keeps them there: Leash guidance get your dog TO the place, but understanding the consequences of leaving keeps them ON place.

4. Don't skip the on/off repetitions. They need to understand they only come off when you say "okay," never on their timeline.

5. Don't use place as punishment. This should be a calm space where your dog learns self-control, not doggy jail time.

How To Make It Reliable

The real work begins once your dog understands the basic place command.

Your dog needs to hold place when guests arrive, when food drops on the floor, or when other dogs walk by.

Check out my guide below to master the 3 D’s (Distance, Duration, and Distractions) and make your place command bulletproof.

TL;DR: Elevated bed + leash guidance + on/off repetitions + release command + consistent enforcement. Master these basics, then use the 3 D's to proof it for real-world reliability.

Tail End

Suggestion Box

Enjoyed this guide? Forward it to a friend and have them signup here.

Interested in sponsoring? Join our partners who’ve achieved >2.3X ROI from just one sponsored guide within 4 days.

Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam