Train Your Dog To Go To Bed (Place Command)

It can be very helpful to teach your dog to "go to bed" or to learn the "place" command. Many times a dog may hang around the door when you have visitors going in and out, or he may be under foot in the kitchen or when you're doing something else. Being able to send your dog to "his place" is a good way to handle these situations.

Here is a way to approach training the "go to bed" command. With this method you'll need a good bed or mat for your dog. With this method, your dog needs to know the down-stay before you start teaching "go to bed."

Working near the mat, put your dog in a down-stay on the mat. If your dog already knows this command, this should be easy. You simply need to work at keeping him in the down-stay for a few seconds and gradually ask him to stay for longer periods of time with you in the room with him. Once your dog can stay in this position for a couple of minutes (without whining or fidgeting) then you are ready to try leaving the room for a short time. Once you can do this successfully, start adding the command "go to bed" when you put your dog in the down-stay on the mat. Then start sending your dog to bed from a short distance away. Gradually increase the distance away - try sending your dog to bed from the next room, and so on. Your dog should be "going to bed" on command in just a few days.

Of course, you should use lots of positive reinforcement to teach your dog using this method. Treats go a long way with most dogs.

Naturally you will need to do this training over sessions in different days. Don't be afraid to back up to something your dog already understands if he's having trouble with something new.

As you can see, it's not hard to teach your dog to "go to bed." But it does take some practice with your dog. If you work on one of these methods with your dog he should be able to do this exercise in just a few days.

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