The benefits of teaching "place" and an excuse to brag a bit

[BG and Gavin]

We have been teaching "place" to Gavin since he was a wee pup. In particular he has had to lie on his bed while we are having supper each night in the adjacent room. Today my student was doing a presentation to our College Program Advisory Committee (a very big deal for her) about her work with Gavin and me this semester. The lunch meeting portion took place first. We were in a huge boardroom with 30 people or so. The "lunch" was a very aromatic, full on Indian Chicken dinner. I brought a small blanket to represent "place" and set it up in the corner of the room, put Gavin in a down stay on it and for half an hour of people passing by him, talking to him, carrying plates of chicken, he did not move. Loud voices talking over each other, mild debates...he stretched right out on his side. Eveyone marvelled and I was so proud of him. He hung out more casually for the remainder of the 1.5 hour meeting and made everyone laugh because whenever they applauded for a speaker he jumped up seeming to think it was for him.
It is so true that these foundational commands like "place" pay off over and over.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love this story, and I am so proud of Gavin. Good boy!

Of course, we all know who really deserves the credit. :)

Behind every well-behaved dog is an owner who cared enough to work her butt off to make him that way. :)

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Karen. Sweet of you to say. I was good and consistent in some respects with him.

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is such a fun story! Thank you for sharing it! That Gavin is a remarkable boy! He should have assumed the applause was for him!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Bonnie. It was really funny when they applauded. He got all smiley and wagged his tail. Maybe he was trying to applaud too.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Such a cutie!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

What a wonderful success story. You have done a great job. Gavin has a very caring mom!!
Place is one of the commands that is used in this house. Hurley knows it well, sometimes I forget I have sent him to Place he stays so quietly laying on his bed.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Diane. What a good boy that Hurley is. I was smiling inward when I overheard one woman say to another "did you see that? She just put that blanket down and he went right to it...hasn't moved since."

[sandy b]

Love this story! You and Gavin get a gold star!! How did you start teaching "place"? And is it too late to teach a 7 year old?

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Sandy. No, never too late to learn. It is easy to teach, just put them in a down stay on the desired bed, blanket, towel or whatever to mark the spot. Reward and release after 30 second, then keep stretching it out to a minute, 2, 5 etc. if the dog gets up, you just escort them back with no words. Being consistent is the trick. You may have a few interrupted dinners. I had my niece and her roommates dog realizing success during one meal because I could not take them bugging everyone for food and trying to snipe off my 89 year old FILs plate. Once they understood what I wanted of them they did pretty well.

[sandy b]

Thank you. Max is going back to school lol!

[BG and Gavin]

Tell Max he can thank me later lol.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yay Gavin!!!!!  BG you have done such a great job with him.  I love hearing this...it only shows how rewarding training can be for us and for our Doodles.