Step 4 - Sending to Place

Prerequisite Skills:

• Marker Word

• Place cue (Verbal or Hand signal from Step 1)

• Step 1, Step 2 (15 sec min), Step 3 (5 steps out of view min)

Gear:

1. Treat pouch with treats

2. Place bed

Set Up:

• Bed Location: Select a single location for each specific training session

• Starting Training Position: Starting point should maintain close proximity to the dog bed. Legs should be within 6 inches of the bed.

Phase 1: Sending to Place

Teach your dog to go to their Place bed regardless of your location/proximity to their Place bed

Reminder: This activity is about sending your dog to Place from a distance. Keep the duration, movement away, or distractions to a minimum to focus on the current criteria. Continue to practice the full loop of cue, criteria, release

Step	Reward Criteria
1	Cue Place while standing 6 inches from the Place location
2	Cue Place while standing 1 foot from the Place location
3	Cue Place while standing 2 foot from the Place location
4	Cue Place while standing 3 foot from the Place location
5	Cue Place while standing 4 foot from the Place location
6	Cue Place while standing 5 foot from the Place location
*	Continue to add distance in a straight line from the bed until you run out of room

Phase 2: Generalization - Repeat Phase 1 but Move in a Different Direction

Step	Criteria
1	Repeat Phase 1 Steps and Criteria but move in a different direction
2	Perform Phase 2 Step 1 four times. Work sending to place in 4 different directions from the Place bed
*	Stay visible to your dog through each different direction

Phase 3: Generalization - Adding Obstacles

Teach your dog to go around an obstacle(s) to reach their bed when cued

Step	Criteria
1	Complete Phase 1 and 2
2	Identify a neutral small object and place it between your dog and their place bed Repeat for 2-3 different small objects
3	Increase the difficulty by identifying larger objects that don't block the view of the bed Examples include things like chairs, vacuums, tables Repeat for 2-3 different objects
4	Identify solid objects that block the view of the bed Examples include things like couches, kitchen islands, cabinets
5	Continue to incorporate all of the normal things that exist within their environment
*	The dog's required distance from the bed will be dependent on the size of the object and current ability (to go to place). Create enough distance to place the object down but stay within the dog's overall distance skill capability

Phase 4: Generalization - Separate Rooms

Teach your dog to go around a corner and through multiple rooms/turns to reach their bed

Step	Reward Criteria
1	Complete Phase 1-3
2	Position your self just around a corner.  Ensure your dog can still see their Place bed.
3	Position your self just around a corner.  Bed is just out of view of the dog.
4	Position yourself and your dog 2-3 feet around a corner.
5	Incrementally move farther away from the bed and repeat (think 2-5 feet at a time)
6	Add in additional turns or obstacle as available in your environment
*	Continue to add distance until you can cue your dog from any location within your house or property