How to Train Your Dog to "Go to Place"-Mat Training

[@kathrynv7076]

Such an uncomplicated way to teach place and relaxing on the mat.

[@UtopiaTravis-rv7ln]

Such an awesome video showing how to teach this skill! Relaxing on a mat has so many practical uses in the home, but I love it most for taking my dog Norma to a brewery!

[@sarahcertified]

Thanks for sharing Travis! Norma has such a solid relaxing on mat behavior, I love it!

[@ellielindsay7452]

Please never stop making videos! This is the best video on mat training I’ve seen so far!

[@sarahcertified]

Thank you so much! I don't plan on stopping anytime soon :)

[@kathleeeeeennnn]

That Colorado bandana 😍 So cute! Love the video. Thanks for the advice Sarah!

[@alysoncartledge9257]

When you 'reset' do you give them a command to move from their bed? I have a foster boy, 1 year old amstaff who I am training and this teaching mat or place is new to me.

[@sarahcertified]

You can say a release cue as you are resetting them, but that isn't necessary in the very beginning steps of this.

[@catedoss1556]

Roxanne is doing this on autopilot on anything that even looks like a mat! Doormat, bathmat, squishy standing chef’s mat in my kitchen, you name it.

[@sarahcertified]

I am so proud of how well she is doing!!

[@cherriesllol]

My pet only likes to train with a squeeze up treat. Do you have any suggestions for how we can start if I can't throw a treat to the side to reset her?

[@sarahcertified]

Hey! This is a great question. I’d recommend teaching the release cue first and getting that super solid from a sit or down without the mat. Then when you need to reset her, you can just give her that release cue and she will get up.

[@jessicaracanelli818]

LOVE your videos! Please do more!! :) What about verbal praise like "good girl"? When do you do this? Why?

[@sarahcertified]

Thank you Jessica! Haha no worries, there are more to come. Verbal praise is absolutely welcome! I typically like to pair this in after I click as I deliver the treat :)

[@RosaCastillo-op3xm]

what can I do if my dog tries to dig into the mat? he does pretty well at the beginning but then he starts to dig or chew the mat.

[@amberleycooke5313]

Hi. Do you use a seperate command for different mats? For instance would you still use it to target the bandana, bed and mat? Or will this confuse the dog? I just wonder how you go about saying place for someone ringing the doorbell and they go to their bed and then using a mat for out and about. Thanks in advance for the help :)

[@sarahcertified]

This is actually a great question. It depends on the dog. I can tell Wrigley to "go to place" and if there is a distinct mat, bed, or bandana lying around, she will target it. But if I had all three out, she likely would lie on the bed. You can add different cues in for the particular places. I don't see all dogs seeing the same recognition between all items under one encompassing cue, so it can be helpful for those dogs to separate out cues. So you could do "go to place", "go chill out", and "go to mat" if you wanted. Or simplify those cues down even more. Does that make sense?

[@cyndimcalpine2829]

Hi Sarah, LOVE your videos! We have a close to 4 year old aussie who had a lot of training as a puppy, but we didn't keep up with his training. :( He has some anxiety and self regulation issues. He's very smart and knows basic commands. We've been working on "Place" and "Go to Place". He's nailed "Place" (I think :)) where he will get on a carpet pad and lie down for a treat. I can't seem to figure out how to get him to understand (by moving small distances away from the carpet) "Go to Place". He always just lies down in front of wherever I'm standing. Thoughts on what I can do here? Thanks so much!

[@sarahcertified]

Hey! Great question! I’d go back to basics with initially clicking and feeding for making physical contact with the mat. A lot of dogs speed through the beginning stages as it looks like they are getting it, but they don’t actually make the connection that it’s the mat, and not just stationing in front of you. I’d go back to that for a little while and start to vary where you are standing to help him understand it better!

[@mattjohnston3521]

Hey Sarah, I was wondering what you use for training treats. Thank you!

[@sarahcertified]

Hey! I use a lot of Wrigley's kibble for training, but when I use treats, I tend to gravitate towards higher quality, nutrient dense treats. I put some links in this video's description of some of my favorites!

[@mattjohnston3521]

@@sarahcertified thanks Sarah

[@heatherlittleton684]

Hi, great video thanks. I’ve heard the term ‘place’ a lot. Is there a particular reason as trainers, you use the word ‘place’ rather than ‘bed’ ?

[@sarahcertified]

Hey Heather, thank you! You know that is a great question, I actually don't have a great reason for that. I personally like it because none of the other cues Wrigley knows sounds like "place", which makes it distinct. I have many clients that prefer to use "bed" or "mat" as the cue however and that is perfectly fine!

[@servicedogangelthunder135]

Could I teach my dog's go to place but place is their kennel?

[@sarahcertified]

Yes absolutely! I actually use "go home" as Wrigley's kennel go to place cue. :)

[@immad3adkid]

Do you say a command to reset or relase from his bed?

[@sarahcertified]

Hey Erin, I use her release cue "all done" to tell her she is allowed to get up now

[@jz3278]

I cannot get mine to stop following me. He will go to his mat but he won’t stay on it if I stand up and do stuff

[@sarahcertified]

I'd watch this video on teaching the stay part in more detail! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5nJead9etlsb5I

[@williamalexander7481]

💜

[@dr.deborahnixon1192]

My dog has no clue. He just sits at my feet and isn't making the connection between treat and mat. I treat him when he gets on or near mat. But I can stand there forever and when he gets tired of sitting nicely, he just lies at my feet. LOL

[@sarahcertified]

Some dogs take a longer time with this concept! I’d make sure the mat is something obvious and different from the floor, but also something your dog likes to lie on. Stand right in front of it, with the idea that your dog will likely station in front of you, by your feet, this their body happens to be on the mat. Reward like crazy the moment they make contact with the mat! Give it some time!

[@dr.deborahnixon1192]

@@sarahcertified Thanks Sarah. I'll keep on trying. He sure loves the treats!!