Your Place or Mine?

How to put a dog it its place.

by Jodi Andersen

Jodi Andersen, a New York-based professional trainer, is the founder of Training Works for Dogs and the author of The Latchkey Dog.

Text Copyright the American Kennel Club, Inc., 2006. No portion of this article may be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder. Reprinted with permission from AKC Family Dog, September/October 2006.
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Because dogs are pack animals, they naturally feel most secure when closest to the people, or pack, they live with. This closeness represents a kind of emotional strength that a dog finds in numbers. So, whether a member of a pack of two or a pack of 20, if you're a dog the mantra that comes naturally is, The closer the better. But us humans don't necessarily see it the same way. The fact is, a dog constantly underfoot can be more of an intrusion than a comfort.
While basic, daily tasks-like cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or simply walking from room to room-can often be done with ease, doing them with a dog at your heels or one trying to lie on top of your feet, can he downright exasperating!

This begs the question: Where exactly should the dog he? The answer: wherever you want him to be. This, in turn, brings up yet another question: Where exactly is that?

The answer to this lies (metaphorically and literally) in a place-any place-where your dog can see you, smell you, hear you, but not touch you. Finding this "place" need not be a full-fledged house hunt. Just watch your dog and-when he chooses to rest somewhere other than on your lap or on your feet-take note of his favorite locations. This, in all likelihood, is "the perfect place."

Oh, The Places You Will Go

Don't he fooled into thinking it need he something formal. "Places" come in all shapes and sizes. Some are in the form of crates, while others might he a cozy spot under a piano bench or a coffee table. Others still are soft cushions on a couch or even an honest-to-goodness real dog bed on the floor. Whatever they look like, once identified or determined you can then teach your dog that it pleases you when he is in this place. Here's how:

First, you'll need treats or, in this case, one measured meal of your dog's dry food. (Dogs are a species that thrives on work, so teaching your dog a new trick and paying him with a meal is a win-win situation.)

Start the lesson with a simple sit. When your dog complies, give him one bite of his dry food and praise him for the effort. Then tell him to "go to your place." Assuming you've already decided where the "place" is, lead him there, with kibble in hand. When you (and the dog) reach the designated location, tell your dog to down. When he does this, praise him by saying, "Good go to your place!" and reward him with him a piece of kihhle. Repeat this exercise several times, giving as much help as needcd and reward him with a bite of food each time.

Once you feel that your clog understands what it means to "go to your place," and you want him to take on this command solo, start by having him stand far away from this special place. Each time he navigates his way to the spot, praise and reward. The less help he needs, the bigger the food reward he should receive. This will teach him that the more effort he makes on his own, the greater the payoff. Over time, continue to increase the distance between the dog and the "place" before asking him to go there. Eventually, whether he's halfway across the yard or just underfoot, a "go to your place" command should put him right where you want him.

Dogs want to keep an eye on us. And this can be an exhausting task for them. But if on the other hand your dog is directed to rest comfortably in a place that's near enough to you that he can keep a watchful eye, he will be just as happy as if he were actually touching you.

This has nothing to do with loving our dogs. Loving them is a giventhis is simply a matter of your own needs, nothing more. Teaching a dog to "go to your place" is not a punishment. On the contrary, it is a gift of real estate from you to your dog that belongs exclusively to him, and whenever you or be are feeling tired, overwhelmed, or just in need of a little space, this "place" becomes a welcome reprise.

So whenever the need arises and you are wondering whether to have the dog in your space or his, tell him to "go to your place" and you'll both know where you stand-or lie, as the case may be.