Learning about boundaries!!!

The edges of the place cot are a boundary that we don’t want the dog crossing unless invited to do so by the handler. The place command is intended to be ‘doggie meditation’ time where the dog practices holding command and maintaining a calm state of mind. We build (and maintain) the implied stay into our place command by correcting the breaking of the command and then guiding the dog back onto place.

In this video we’ll see an excellent example of this as Howie learns the boundary of ‘place’ with a new smaller cot that is more of a perch than a hammock like the big blue ones he’s used to. You’ll also see how I’m using my body as a magnet each time Howie overshoots the cot by stepping over the cot and calling Howie towards me with verbal and remote collar information rather than trying to push or pull on him which would create resistance, frustration and unwillingness in the dog.

This process of Howie crossing new boundaries to find out where they are is a very NORMAL learning process for dogs and it’s not simply a dog being stubborn as often labeled. Dogs don’t know where the boundaries are or what the rules are until a fair and consistent handler shows them and then maintains them consistently longterm. Setting and maintaining healthy and important boundaries for the dog is the handler’s responsibility because we’re the ones who want politeness and great manners from our dogs.