07/05/2026
Practicing “Place”. I love these suggestions!
🐾 Teach Your Dog NOTHING… and Watch Everything Change! 🐾
Sometimes the best training starts when we stop asking our dogs to do something.
Mat training isn’t about a perfect “place” command — it’s about creating a space where your dog naturally learns:
💜 This is where I relax
💜 This is where good things happen
💜 This is where I feel safe
Start simple:
1️⃣ Pick a mat, blanket, or bed
Don’t ask for anything — just let your dog explore it.
2️⃣ Make the mat magical ✨
Treats, chews, toys, praise, calm attention… all happen there.
3️⃣ Reward the mindset, not just the position
Look for:
✔️ relaxed body
✔️ soft eyes
✔️ lowered head
✔️ choosing to settle
4️⃣ Slowly build duration
The goal isn’t a dog who is “stuck” on a mat — the goal is a dog who understands how to calm themselves.
5️⃣ Take it everywhere 🌎
The backyard, a friend’s house, training class, patios, travel… the more places your dog practices relaxing, the stronger the skill becomes.
A mat becomes a portable comfort zone ❤️
This is especially valuable for:
🐶 puppies learning calm
🐶 anxious dogs building confidence
🐶 service dogs learning public access skills
🐶 busy dogs learning an “off switch”
Sometimes the most powerful thing we teach our dogs… is how to simply be. 🐾
