Module 6.8 Settle/Place Exercise
Teaching your puppy a settle/place
Video 1:
Teaching your puppy a settle or place is a great way to help them learn where to relax calmly in the home, such as in the kitchen while you’re cooking. It can also be transferred to new environments, like a café or restaurant, by using a mat that your puppy learns to associate with calm behaviour and positive experiences. Start at home with a large, comfortable place – ideally a flatter bed, as it’s easier for your puppy to move on and off compared to a fluffy bed with high sides. By consistently rewarding your puppy for choosing to settle on their place, you build a strong, positive association that encourages them to relax wherever you take it.
Video 2:
The first stage of teaching your puppy to settle on a mat is to build a strong positive association with being on it. Stand at the front of the mat and place 3–5 pieces of food down one at a time, slowly, allowing your puppy to eat each piece before adding the next. Once they’ve finished, use your release cue to guide them off the mat and reset. As your puppy naturally turns back towards the mat, begin placing food down again. By repeating this, your puppy will start to choose the mat on their own and wait there, learning that staying on the mat is what brings rewards.
Video 3:
The next step is to begin adding a small amount of distance while your puppy stays on the mat. Start by taking one step away, then return and place a piece of food on the mat for your puppy. Gradually increase this to one or two steps, moving in different directions, as long as your puppy remains in position and doesn’t follow you. Each time you return, reward them on the mat to reinforce staying put. The goal is for your puppy to begin relaxing on the mat while you move around, learning that calm, settled behaviour is what earns the reward.
Video 4:
You can then begin to build this settle behaviour by adding everyday distractions, such as moving around the kitchen, helping your puppy learn to stay calm in real-life situations. A simple way to practise this is while making a cup of tea, as it naturally breaks down into small steps that allow you to reward frequently.
Start by placing your puppy on their mat and rewarding them for settling. Then take one small step away, for example walking to the kettle, and return straight away to reward them on the mat. Next, build this up gradually—walk to the kettle, fill it with water, then return and reward. Turn the kettle on, then return and reward again. Continue this pattern, breaking the task into small steps and always going back to your puppy to reinforce that staying on the mat is the right choice. If your puppy gets up, simply guide them back without reward and make the next step easier. Over time, your puppy will learn that even when you are busy and moving around, staying calm on their mat is what consistently earns them rewards.
