Are you wanting to improve your dog's behavior? It turns out it might be easier than you think!
Whether you're trying to figure out how to stop a dog from jumping up, or you're in the midst of learning how to calm a reactive dog, there's one simple command you can teach your pup that will help them feel calmer and more confident.
What is it, we hear you ask? Well, according to expert dog trainer Adam Spivey, it's PLACE.
"Many times dogs struggle during certain activities simply because they don't know what they should do instead," he explains in an Instagram video which you can view below. "If we teach our dog what we want then it's much easier for everyone."
In the clip, Spivey can be seen working with a Rottweiler who desperately wants to go and join in a game of catch that two people are playing on the grass in front of him.
Spivey works with the pup using dog treats to teach him that when he stays on PLACE, good things happen and if he comes off, he gets put straight back on again.
"The dog stays on PLACE until you release them," says Spivey, "it's that simple. Repetitions and you being 100% consistent are key. If they come off 10 times, they go back 10 times."
Spivey stresses that PLACE isn't just something we use inside the home. We should also be using it outside in the garden and transferring it into any environments where we're not wanting our dog to move.
"Make sure you practice this regularly, inside and outside in the garden. You can even use smaller place settings for pubs and restaurants etc — place mats are great for this."
You'll also note if you watch the video that Spivey has the Rottweiler on a leash, which can make teaching PLACE a whole lot easier.
We recommend working with your dog consistently on this for several months, but if you find after that time you're not seeing the positive progress you'd expect, it's worth reaching out to a professional trainer for some 1:1 support.
