Detailed Procedure for Place Training a Dog

Objective: Teach the dog to go to a designated "place" (e.g., a bed, mat, or crate) and stay there until released.

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Materials Needed:
- A comfortable mat, bed, or crate.
- High-value treats.
- Leash (optional).

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Step 1: Introduce the "Place"
1. Choose a "Place": Select a specific area like a bed, mat, or crate where you want your dog to learn to go. Make sure it's comfortable and distinct.

2. Lead the Dog to the Place: With the dog on a leash, guide them to the designated place.

3. Mark and Reward: Once the dog is on the mat, immediately mark the behavior with your verbal marker "Yes!" and reward them with a treat.

4. Repeat: Guide the dog off the place and then back on, marking and rewarding each time all four paws are on the place. Repeat this several times to build a positive association.

Step 2: Add a Verbal Cue
1. **Introduce the Cue:** Once your dog is reliably going to the place with guidance, start adding a verbal cue such as "Place" or "Bed." Say the cue right as the dog begins moving toward the place.

2. Reward on Arrival: Continue to mark and reward when the dog reaches the place. Start to increase the time the dog stays on the place before rewarding.

3. Vary the Distance: Gradually increase the distance from which you give the "Place" cue, encouraging the dog to go to the designated spot from farther away.

Step 3: Increase Duration and Distractions
1. Duration: Once the dog is consistently going to the place on cue, start increasing the duration they stay there. Gradually delay the reward, extending the time by a few seconds each session.

2. Introduce Distractions: Slowly introduce mild distractions, such as moving around the room, while the dog stays on the place. Reward the dog for staying put despite the distractions.

3. Generalise the Behaviour: Practice the "Place" command in different locations around your home and, eventually, in different environments (e.g., outside, at a friend's house) to generalise the behaviour.

Step 4: Release Command
1. Introduce a Release Cue: Teach the dog the release cue "break" to let them know when they can leave the place.

2. Mark and Reward: Use the release cue "break," then encourage the dog to step off the place. Once they do, mark and reward them. This reinforces that they can leave the place only when released.

3. Vary Training: Continue practicing, varying the duration and distractions before using the release cue, so the dog learns to stay until explicitly released.

Step 5: Proofing the Behaviour
1. Add More Distractions: Continue to practice with increasingly challenging distractions (e.g., knocking on the door, people entering the room) to proof the behaviour.

2. Randomise Rewards: Start to reward the dog intermittently rather than every time they stay on the place. This helps to strengthen the behavior and make it more reliable.

3. Practice Daily: Integrate "Place" training into daily routines, like during meal prep, when guests arrive, or when you’re watching TV, to ensure consistency.

Troubleshooting:
- If the dog leaves the place early: Calmly guide them back without rewarding, reset, and reduce the duration or distractions before trying again.
- If the dog seems confused: Go back to basics and reinforce the association with more frequent rewards and shorter sessions.

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By following this detailed procedure consistently, you will teach your dog to go to their place on command and stay there until released with the cue "break," regardless of the distractions around them.