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Go to Mat
One of my favorite foundation training behaviors is “Go to Mat." You may also know this
behavior as “Place," “Park It," “Settle," or various other names. It never matters which cue you choose, as long as you and your family consistently use the same one with your dog.
The Mat will be used as a portable place for your dog to relax and chill no matter where you are. For example, you can take the Mat to a restaurant, put it under the table, and ask the dog to Go to Mat. If you’ve worked this behavior well, the dog will settle on the mat under the table and remain calm. Another frequent use would be to train your dog to Go to Mat when the doorbell rings. It is so helpful!
Supplies Needed:
- A usable mat should be an appropriate size for your dog, washable, and easy to tote around. A rag rug or a bath mat are my favorites to use;
- A clicker;
- Many small (pea-sized) treats that your dog finds rewarding, and they don’t usually have (tiny pieces of cheese, chicken, soft treats, etc.);
- 5 or 10 minutes to practice with your dog.
Let’s Begin
Session #1
Step 1: Put the mat on the floor, and place 3 treats on it;
Step 2: Call your dog and let him/her eat the treats;
Step 3: Once the dog has finished eating the treats, show the dog another treat in your hand and roll it a few feet away so the dog goes to eat that one. (This is called a reset.);
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 - 3 several (4) times;
Step 5: On the 5th time, do not put treats on the mat. Wait until the dog comes to investigate to see if there are treats available. As soon as they step on the mat to look, click, and put a couple of treats on the mat for them;
Step 6: Reset by rolling a treat away a few feet from the mat;
Step 7: Repeat steps 5 & 6 three times;
Step 8: After rolling a treat away the last time, pick up the mat and end Session #1.
Session #2
Step 1: Put the mat on the floor. If your dog comes over to investigate, click and treat by
putting the treat on the mat;
Step 2: Reset;
Step 3: This time, as your dog returns to the mat, wait to see if the dog will put all 4 paws on the mat. As soon as this happens, click and treat (by putting the treat onto the mat);
Step 4: Reset;
Step 5: Next, you’ll again wait as the dog returns to the mat, but this time, wait a little longer to see if they will sit. If they do, click and treat quickly. If not, tell them to sit, and then click and treat;
Step 6: Reset and repeat 4 times;
Step 7: On the final reset, pick up the mat and end this session.
Session #3
Step 1: Repeat the last step from our last session. Put the mat down. Wait as the dog comes to investigate and, hopefully, at this point, they will realize that they need to sit. Click/treat and reset;
Step 2: Next, wait until the dog comes back to the mat and sits. Don’t click/treat, but instead have them go down on the mat, then click/treat, delivering the treat onto the mat;
Step 3: Reset and repeat. Remember to pick up the mat when you have completed each
session.
Next month, I’ll give specific instructions on teaching “stay” from the mat.
LuAnn Keyton, KPACTP
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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