Glossary
Place
A cue that sends a dog to a mat or bed and keeps it there, often used when visitors arrive or meals are served.
Also called: go to your mat, mat training, go to bed, place cue
"Place" teaches a dog to go to a specific spot, such as a mat, bed or raised platform, and settle there until released. It gives the dog something to do instead of jumping up on guests, begging at the table or hovering at the door.
Trainers usually capture or shape it by rewarding the dog for stepping on the mat, then for lying down on it, then for staying a little longer, with rewards delivered on the mat. Distance is added after that, so the dog can be sent to the mat from across the room.
The mat itself becomes a signal that it is time to relax. Some owners carry a folding mat to cafes or vet waiting rooms. It is a calm-down skill and not a punishment, so do not use it as a time-out.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026