Stationing Behaviors

🐕 Stationing Behaviors: Teaching Your Dog Their “Special Spots”

The Magic of Having Your Own Spot

Imagine you have your favorite chair at the dinner table. When someone says “dinner time!” you know exactly where to go. It feels good to have your own spot, right?

Dogs feel the same way! Stationing behaviors teach your dog to go to a specific spot and stay there. It’s like giving your dog their very own “home base.”

🎯 Why Stationing is a Superpower

Think of these commands like teaching your dog to play “musical chairs” — but they always win because they know exactly where their chair is!

When stationing helps:

• Doorbell rings? Dog goes to their spot (not jumping on visitors!)
• Cooking dinner? Dog stays on their bed (not begging at your feet!)
• Need to sweep the floor? Dog waits on their mat (out of the way!)

1️⃣ The PLACE Command

What is “Place”?

The Place command tells your dog: “Go to this mat/platform and stay there.”

Think of it like your dog’s “parking spot.” When you park a car, it stays put until you come back to drive it. Same idea!

🌟 Simple Example:

• You point to a mat and say “Place!”
• Your dog walks over and sits or lies down on the mat
• They stay there until you release them

Teaching Place: Step by Step

Step 1: Choose the Spot

Pick something your dog can see clearly:

• A dog bed
• A towel
• A raised platform
• A small rug

Pro tip: Start with something that looks different from the floor so your dog can see it easily!

Step 2: Make It Exciting

1. Stand near the mat with yummy treats
2. Toss a treat onto the mat
3. When your dog steps on it, say “Yes!” and give another treat
4. Let them leave, then repeat!

Think of it like a treasure hunt. The mat = treasure location!

Step 3: Add the Word “Place”

Once your dog loves running to the mat:

1. Say “Place!” BEFORE you toss the treat
2. Dog runs to mat
3. Say “Yes!” and reward

Step 4: Add Duration

Your dog needs to learn to STAY on the mat:

1. Dog goes to place
2. Wait 2 seconds… “Yes!” + treat
3. Wait 5 seconds… “Yes!” + treat
4. Slowly build up time

Like playing freeze dance! The music stops (you say Place), they freeze on their spot.

Step 5: Add the Release Word

Every parking spot needs an “exit” signal:

• Say “Free!” or “Okay!”
• That means: “You can leave your spot now”

📊 Place Command Flow

graph TD
    A["Say 'Place!'"] --> B["Dog walks to mat"]
    B --> C["Dog sits or lies down"]
    C --> D["Wait quietly"]
    D --> E["Say 'Free!' to release"]
    E --> F["Dog can leave spot"]

2️⃣ The GO TO BED Command

What is “Go to Bed”?

This is similar to Place, but specifically for your dog’s bed or crate. It means: “Go relax in your cozy sleeping spot.”

The difference from Place:

• Place = Any mat you choose (portable!)
• Go to Bed = Their actual bed or crate (home base!)

🌟 Simple Example:

• You say “Go to bed!”
• Your dog trots over to their dog bed
• They lie down and settle in for a rest

Teaching Go to Bed: Step by Step

Step 1: Make the Bed Amazing

Before any training, make the bed the BEST place ever:

• Drop treats on it randomly during the day
• Put a special chew toy there
• Give belly rubs when they’re on it

Your dog should think: “This bed = good things happen!”

Step 2: Capture the Behavior

Capturing means rewarding what your dog does naturally:

1. Wait for your dog to walk to their bed
2. The MOMENT they step on it, say “Yes!”
3. Toss a treat TO the bed
4. They might leave. That’s okay! Just wait again.

Step 3: Add the Cue “Go to Bed”

Once your dog keeps going back to the bed:

1. As they’re walking toward it, say “Go to bed!”
2. They arrive and lie down
3. “Yes!” + treat party!

Step 4: Send from a Distance

Start making it a “go away from me” command:

1. Stand 3 feet away from the bed
2. Say “Go to bed!” and point
3. Dog goes to bed
4. Walk over and deliver treats there

Slowly increase distance. Soon you can send them from across the room!

When to Use “Go to Bed”

3️⃣ The TOUCH Command

What is “Touch”?

Touch (also called “targeting”) means: “Bump your nose to my hand.”

Why is this useful? Because once your dog will follow your hand, you can guide them ANYWHERE — including to their Place or Bed!

🌟 Simple Example:

• You hold out your flat palm
• Say “Touch!”
• Your dog bops their nose to your hand
• You say “Yes!” and give a treat

It’s like a high-five, but with their nose!

Teaching Touch: Step by Step

Step 1: The Magic Hand

1. Put a treat in one hand (behind your back)
2. Hold your other hand flat, palm facing your dog
3. Put it close to their nose (just a few inches away)

Most dogs will sniff it naturally. Curious noses win!

Step 2: Mark and Reward

The INSTANT their nose touches your palm:

1. Say “Yes!”
2. Give the treat from your other hand

Repeat, repeat, repeat! Make it a fun game.

Step 3: Add the Word “Touch”

Once they’re bopping your hand reliably:

1. Say “Touch!” THEN present your hand
2. Dog touches nose to palm
3. “Yes!” + treat

Step 4: Move Your Hand Around

Now make it a chase game:

• Hold your hand to the left — “Touch!”
• Hold your hand to the right — “Touch!”
• Hold it low — “Touch!”
• Hold it a step away — “Touch!”

Your hand becomes a magnet for their nose!

Touch Command Flow

graph TD
    A["Say 'Touch!'"] --> B["Present flat palm"]
    B --> C["Dog moves toward hand"]
    C --> D["Nose touches palm"]
    D --> E["Say 'Yes!' immediately"]
    E --> F["Give treat"]

How Touch Helps with Stationing

Here’s the magic connection:

1. Guide to Place: Hold your hand over the mat, say “Touch!” — dog follows and ends up on the mat!

2. Guide to Bed: Lead your dog with touches all the way to their bed.

3. Build confidence: Shy dogs can touch your hand instead of feeling pressured to do a behavior.

🔗 Putting It All Together

These three commands work as a team:

graph TD
    A["Touch"] -->|Guides dog to| B["Place Mat"]
    A -->|Guides dog to| C["Dog Bed"]
    B --> D["Dog settles & waits"]
    C --> D
    D --> E["Release word: 'Free!'"]

Real-Life Scenario:

The doorbell rings!

1. Say “Place!” or “Go to bed!”
2. If needed, use “Touch” to guide them there
3. Dog settles on their spot
4. You answer the door calmly
5. Greet guest, then release your dog with “Free!”

No more jumping, barking chaos at the door!

🏆 Quick Success Tips

For ALL stationing behaviors:

✅ Start easy: Short distances, short times ✅ High-value treats: Use the GOOD stuff when learning! ✅ Reward ON the spot: Deliver treats where you want them to stay ✅ Release clearly: Always use your release word ✅ Practice daily: 5 minutes is better than none!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🎯 Summary: Your Dog’s Special Spots

Remember: Every dog learns at their own pace. Keep sessions short, fun, and positive. Your dog WANTS to learn — they just need you to show them how!

Now go practice with your pup! Start with Touch (it’s the easiest), then add Place, and finally Go to Bed. Before you know it, your dog will be a stationing superstar! 🌟