Training your puppy doesn’t have to mean relying on crates or managing chaos around your home. With puppy stationing training, you can gently guide your pup to a designated spot where they feel secure, confident, and calm. It’s a positive, voluntary behavior that builds soft skills like impulse control and polite greetings, and it’s much easier than you think.
Let’s walk through the three simple phases of how to teach puppy place command and effectively create a safe space for your puppy.
Start by choosing a specific space for your puppy to call their own. This could be a soft mat, a dog bed (we recommend LAY LO beds!), or even a painter’s tape square for chewers.
Sprinkle a few treats on the mat while standing nearby.
Pro Tip: All rewards should go on the mat, not directly into your puppy’s mouth.
When your pup steps onto the mat, shower them with verbal praise and drop more treats (yep on the mat!).
Avoid petting at this stage, use food and voice only.
If your pup begins to leave the mat, gently toss a treat to encourage a clean “exit.”
Train in short, fun bursts—2–3 times a day for just a couple of minutes. You can even sneak treats onto the mat throughout the day to make it more magical!
When your pup happily hops on and off the mat with ease (especially when treats are in sight), you’re ready for the next step.
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This is where the magic happens, linking your puppy’s action with the word you want them to understand.
As your pup steps onto the mat, say your station cue (popular options include “place,” “bed,” or “mat”).
As they leave the mat, say your release cue (try “release,” “free,” or a unique word like “nanu” avoid “OK” to prevent confusion).
Reward paws-on-mat behavior consistently, and only use praise or pets if your pup actually enjoys them.
You may notice your pup sits or lies down on the mat naturally—great! Quietly reward them while they’re still on the mat instead of releasing them. This builds longer-lasting behaviors without forcing them into position.
Keep this phase going until your puppy voluntarily heads to the mat in hopes of starting the game. That’s your cue to move on.
Now that your puppy understands the concept and the words, it’s time to make it practical:
Begin cueing the behavior before presenting the treat.
Ask your pup to go to their place from different distances—across the room, down the hallway, or even from another room.
Make it exciting! If you want your pup to run to their mat with joy, lead the way with enthusiasm and energy.
As they arrive at their mat, you can begin to cue "Sit" or "Down", but always after rewarding them for stationing itself.
Never punish your puppy for leaving their mat without a cue. Puppies are learning, and often they step off because they’re hungry, bored, or need a potty break. If they keep leaving, revisit earlier steps or assess if their needs are being met.
Remember: building confident behaviors takes time. You’re teaching a life skill, not demanding perfection.
By following this guide to puppy stationing training, you’ll not only learn how to teach puppy place command, but you’ll also create a safe space for your puppy that fosters trust, calm behavior, and joyful companionship.
Consistency, patience, and a pocketful of treats will go a long way.
Our team of certified trainers and behaviorists brings over 50 years of combined experience, and every expert is personally vetted, Fear Free certified, and deeply committed to helping dogs (and their people) thrive at home. Need help with your pup? Talk to a dog expert today
