Settle on a mat

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http://ptfordogs.blogspot.com/

Settle on a mat without using force or intimidation. Train your dog to settle on a mat or at your side using positive reinforcement and building value for your dogs mat.

Be able to take your dog anywhere and have them chill and relax on a mat or at your side. Once you train this you will be so proud of your dog and you will want to take him everywhere!

The main reason I like to train my dogs or clients dogs to settle on a mat is so that they can learn to be calm in many environments. The mat almost becomes a security blanket to the dog at times. Here is a story about my Bandit and an experience we had where the settle mat came in handy.

One time I was getting an oil change and I had Bandit with me. I take my dogs everywhere I can! Well, come to find out they needed to keep my jeep over night and I had to get a rent-a-car. Well, when the driver came to get us to take us to get the car, Bandit refused to get into the car. He was afraid and would not budge. Since I do not use force on my dogs, I tried to encourage him with treats, toys, and nothing was working. Then I thought, hmmm what if I put his settle mat in the car? So, I did and Bandit jumped right in the car and onto his mat. I was sold from that moment on and have taught all the dogs I come in contact with how to settle on the mat.

I also like the mat for training dogs to be calm next to the owner. Once the dog understands downing on the mat, it is really easy to fade the mat and train them to just down next to the owner. It is great for the days when you want to go hang out at the local coffee shop with your dog or if you are talking to a friend and as you talk your dog just chills out on the mat or at your feet as you talk.

In the beginning I use the mat everywhere and practice settles. First teach the settle in your home, but once your dog understands what to do, you can start taking this behavior to other locations. Also, try settles without the mat. You can practice settles without the mat in your house, training it the exact same way.

There is one thing that I did not mention in the video is that I do not put "Settle" on a verbal cue. It is more of an expected behavior. When the human is not moving and just standing or sitting there, then the dog will default into a down and wait.

Once you have taught this it is great for having your dog learn to go to his mat later. If the mat has value from learning the settle, your dog will love going to the mat and the cue "go to your mat" will be easy to train. It will be a nice behavior to have when you are eating dinner, to be able to have your dog just goes to his mat. You can train down on the goes for obedience.

Really the "settle" or "go to your mat" have so many benefits that it makes it one of my favorite things to train a dog to do. Plus, to train your dog to be calm on the mat is really the key to teaching your dog that being calm is a great thing. Dogs seem to really like being calm and relaxed. :)

Have fun training this simple behavior. Others will think you have the best dog ever!

Have a great week!
Pam, Isabelle, & Bandit

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• settle
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• mat
• relax
• at
• your
• local
• coffee
• shop
• be
• able
• to
• take
• dog
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• positive
• reinforcement
• clicker
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• fun
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• behavior

[HappyHag]

So dogs are allowed in cafes in the States? There aren't many public places dogs can go in the UK.

[pamelamarxsen]

No, dogs can't go inside the cafe, but many cafes here have outdoor seating and dogs can be there. Many places with a patio will allow dogs. Dogs should be allowed in more places!

[jimlupi]

one question I have a highly food motivated hound if there is even a hint of food in the air she stares and sniffs. It could be a while before she gives up and i may lose the lying on the mat before shew stopps staring

[pamelamarxsen]

You could do all the same steps, and build the down either on a mat or just at your feet and start to vary the reinforcement to keep her down. Then once the down seems pretty solid, start rewarding her for calmness and when she looks away. Try to drop treats when she is sniffing the ground, yawning, or giving soft eye blinks. The idea is to get the dog to a point where she can just stay in a down and not constantly be thinking about the food, etc. Hope that helps. Pam

[kikopup]

Loved this video! It is soo cool to be friends with you Pam!

[pamelamarxsen]

Thanks Emily! That means a lot! I feel so fortunate that we are friends!

[Roxxsmom]

I've been to pubs and other indoor places that serve food there where dogs seem to be allowed in the UK, but here they are only allowed in some patio areas And I am so jealous of British dog owners being allowed to play ball with their dogs in parks off leash. Maybe it's because British dogs are better trained...or maybe British dogs are better trained because they are allowed to go to these places. Most U.S. dogs seem to languish 24/7 in suburban backyards :(

[huskylover127]

Your videos help me so much with Roxys training ! Loved this video

[DogsAreMyBestFriends]

Great video, Pam!

Well explained, definitely 5*s!

[HappyHag]

Thanks, that's very useful! It's easy to forget that the goal is for the dog to do the behaviours of its own accord rather than command them everything.

[tigrisor99]

Nice video! Complete explanations, easy to follow!