We like to eat our dinner in relative peace. In order to procure peace, and eat our meal without someone’s nose on our plates, the dogs must be on their “places.” I bought some quilted material, cut it to the size I wanted and sewed the seams to form a “place mat” of sorts; where the dogs must lie while we eat our meals.
When we sit down with our food, we give the dogs a treat. After we have finished eating we release the dogs and reward them with some carrots.
Sampson has been on his “place” since he was about six months old.
Delilah has been a challenge. When we first started setting Delilah on her place, we would turn around and walk into the kitchen and Delilah would get up and follow us. Eventually Delilah conceded to sitting on the mat until we came back with our plates but she wouldn’t lie down. Then Delilah would lie down but as soon as we left the room, she would sit up. Lately I have been really working hard on getting Delilah to “down” on her mat.
A few months back I read a book by Jennifer Arnold entitled “Through a Dog’s Eyes.” Ms. Arnold trains service dogs for people with disabilities and she does all of her training with food as a motivator; she uses no force.
Delilah is pure lab, in English this translates to “highly motivated by food.” So tonight when I brought Delilah to her place I also brought a small piece of carrot with me. I used the carrot to entice Delilah to “down.”
When I came back into the living room, here is what I found.
I think this might actually work.
lexy3587 says
aww, Sampson looks completely relaxed, and Delilah looks like she’s expectant (probably of another treat) but also fairly relaxed. The food focus comes in very handy for training!
I like your ‘place’ idea… might have to try that with one of Gwynn’s pillows. A recent phone conversation (with a plate of snacks on the end of the couch) went something like this:
friend – “Oh, so how is your little sister’s prom dress hunt going?”
me – “BACK OFF!” (to Gwynn, who was snuffling around my plate and about to start licking it) “I think she’s decided on a dress, we just have to go pick it up”
friend – “Ummmmm…ok?”
… having Gwynn know to go lie down when I have food would be very advantageous to my ‘not crazy, really!’ cred 😛
Jodi Stone says
It is a really good command, BUT with my dogs if the someone walks in or the cat comes in, they both rush off.
When I took that picture we were finishing up dinner so she was anticipating her treat. She was actually relaxed about 2 minutes before the photo was snapped.
Let me know how it works out with Gwynn.
Patty says
Labs are so food motivated. I joke with our trainer that Sophie would sell me for a cookie if she could.
We use the place command as well when she is getting underfoot/begs. Usually she curls up and naps at our feet or on the couch. For being so food motivated we got lucky she doesn’t beg often. But of course there are the occasions where she does and she gets sent to her bed for a prolonged down stay. She will usually let out numerous sighs while in her down stay…such a drama queen.
I love how relaxed Sampson looks 🙂
Jodi Stone says
We got so lucky with Sampson. He knows and trusts us and how we treat him.
Does using the food help Sophie?