A Calm Dog is a Happy Dog: Our Favorite Command 'Place'

‘Place’ isn’t about control; it’s about creating a space where your dog can feel safe, confident, and at ease. It’s one of the best tools for helping your dog navigate their emotions and build long-lasting calm from the inside out.

Mia rocking a beautiful place generously provided by our one of our clients in Chile, Pablo.

TLDR:

The Place command is more than just a cue it's a powerful tool for helping your dog self-regulate, reduce stress, and build emotional resilience. Just like people have their own "happy place" to reset, dogs benefit from having a consistent, safe space where they can decompress. Teaching Place is simple but effective, and over time it becomes a go-to strategy for managing overstimulation, anxiety, and household chaos. From greeting guests calmly to relaxing during dinner, Place gives your dog confidence, structure, and peace of mind and gives you a calmer, more balanced home.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed—where do you go?Most of us have a “happy place” or a moment of “me time” where we can decompress, reset, and feel safe. It’s something we seek out instinctively when life gets loud.

Now think about your dog. Do they have a place like that? Or maybe the better question is: do they know how to go there when they need to?

For many dogs, the answer is no. They haven’t learned how to calm themselves down or create emotional distance from stress. And when that happens, we see it show up in behaviors like:

• Barking that’s hard to stop

• Frequent zoomies or restlessness

• Pacing or panting without a clear reason

• Trouble settling down in public places

  
  

If any of those sound familiar, your dog might not know how helpful the Place command can be.

Now let’s flip the script. Imagine a world where, when the doorbell rings or something stressful happens, your dog calmly walks to their spot, lies down, and looks to you with trust. A world where they can relax even with distractions all around.

That’s the power of Place.It’s not just a command—it’s a tool for emotional regulation. It teaches dogs how to find their calm, manage their stress, and build confidence through stillness. And for us, it’s a way to help our dogs feel safe and balanced in an unpredictable world.

What Makes a “Place”?

Now that we understand the power of the Place command, how do we create that space for our dog?

First, we need a designated “place.” This can be anything with clear boundaries: an elevated cot, a doormat, a towel, a rock—anything that’s noticeably different from the surrounding surface. But to keep it simple, we recommend starting with your dog’s bed. It’s familiar, comfortable, and easy to use in daily routines.

The important thing is that the place should be:

• Physically distinct from the surrounding area (either in texture, elevation, or both)

• Big enough for your dog to lie down comfortably without spilling over the edges

  
  

Once you’ve chosen your dog’s “place,” it’s time to teach it.

How to Teach the Place Command

Here’s the basic teaching progression we use in our program, following a structured “order of operations” method:

1. Free Command – Start by giving your dog the verbal command (“Place”) in a neutral tone.

2. Repeat With Correction – If they don’t respond, repeat the command and apply a gentle correction.

3. Guide Toward Place – Repeat the command again while walking them toward the designated spot.

4. Mark Success – Once all four paws are on the place, use your “Yes!” marker to signal success and reward.

   
   

A great way to visualize this is by thinking of a game we all used to play as kids: “The Floor Is Lava.”In this version, your dog’s bed is the safe zone, and everything else is lava. If they step off, you simply repeat the command and go back to step 3. When they get back on the place, reinforce with your “Good” marker (but no treat if they broke the command first).

When you're ready to release them, make eye contact and give your release word.

That’s it. Easy right? Sometimes it can take a few tries before our dogs start to get it and that’s okay. The more we do it the easier it will become.

How Does This Become Their Safe Space?

At first glance, Place might just seem like a glorified “stay” or “wait” command—and in the beginning, that’s exactly what it is. But the real power of this command comes with time, consistency, and clear guidance from us.

Think of how we help a child manage overstimulation or emotional overwhelm: we give them space, maybe send them to their room, and encourage them to calm down. Our dogs need the same kind of support. When we notice signs of stress, anxiety, or overexcitement, we can guide them to Place. Then, we wait. Often, their calmness is marked by a deep sigh; a sign we reference often when discussing the stress curve in training.

By consistently doing this and following some simple ground rules our dogs begin to understand that their “Place” isn’t just a bed. It’s a safe zone. A space where they can rest, regroup, and feel totally secure.

For example, when my dog puts herself on Place, I leave her alone. It’s her way of saying, “Hey, I need a minute.” Unless absolutely necessary, I don’t disturb her—and I make that a rule for the whole family. It gives her the autonomy and predictability she needs to feel safe in our home.

Of course, this level of understanding doesn’t happen overnight. It takes repetition and patience. Most dogs who complete our 10-week training program start to grasp the concept, but the real transformation happens with continued practice. Over time, it becomes second nature and Place becomes not just a command, but a comforting part of their daily routine.

Leveling Up the Command

The Place command isn’t just about calming down; it’s also an incredibly helpful tool for building routines and creating boundaries when needed.

Imagine this:There’s a knock at the door. Your dog launches into full chaos mode—barking, jumping, rushing the entryway. You’re juggling the door, trying to stop your dog from escaping, and barely able to handle the actual situation at hand.

Now imagine a different version:The same knock at the door, but this time, your dog barks once or twice, then calmly walks over to their Place, lies down, and watches quietly while you answer the door.

I much prefer the second scenario and Place is how you get there.

The same concept applies during dinner. Instead of begging under the table, your dog can relax on their bed while you eat.  

Hopefully you can start to see why this is our favorite command to teach. It sets us up for success and is the foundation for many other commands including some that are used in agility.

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Think of a moment in your daily routine when your dog tends to get worked up. Maybe when you’re getting ready to leave, guests come over, or there’s a knock at the door. These are perfect opportunities to use Place.

We’d love to hear how it goes for you or how you adapt it to make it your own! If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to us. Let’s see what we can come up with together!