Module 6: Place / Mat Training

Teach the dog to settle on a mat. Solves doorbell madness, dinner-time begging, and most over-arousal problems.

5 min read Intermediate
Course progress0%

Capture going to the mat

Toss a treat onto the mat. Dog steps on → mark + reward on the mat. Repeat 20 times until the dog runs to the mat unprompted.

Add duration

Once on the mat, deliver treats every 5 sec, then 10, then 30. Release with your word.

Generalize

Take the mat to different rooms, then add doorbell, then visitors. Mat = anchor across contexts.

Key takeaways

  • Capture, don't lure, onto the mat
  • Pay duration on the mat
  • Mat travels with you

Lesson checklist

Action items to put this module into practice.

  • Choose a portable mat
  • Capture 20 mat-steps
  • Build to 1 min on mat
  • Test with doorbell