Teton River Retrievers 2-Week Place Training Program.

Core Rules for the Entire Program

- Place means: all four feet on the object, calm body, no creeping, no vocalizing, no leaving until released.

- Release word: one consistent cue (e.g., “Break”).

- Corrections: light, fair, consistent — leash guidance only.

- Reps: short, clean, frequent.

- Goal: a dog that can hold place through motion, noise, food, toys, people, chaos, and boredom.

WEEK 1 — FOUNDATION & CONTROL

Day 1 — Introduction to Place

- Teach the dog to step onto the bed with leash guidance.

- Reward calmness, not excitement.

- Duration: 10–15 seconds at first.

- 10–15 reps throughout the day.

- End every rep with a clean release.

Goal: Dog understands the job: “Get on the object and stay there.”

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Day 2 — Duration & Calmness

- Increase duration to 1–2 minutes.

- Add mild distractions:

- You shifting your weight

- You walking around the bed

- You stepping away 3–5 feet

- Correct only for leaving the bed, not for fidgeting.

Goal: Dog begins to settle mentally, not just physically.

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Day 3 — Distance & Movement

- Walk around the room.

- Walk behind the dog.

- Walk out of sight for 1–2 seconds.

- Add door movement (open/close).

- Duration: 3–5 minutes.

Goal: Dog holds place even when handler movement increases.

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Day 4 — Environmental Pressure

Introduce real‑world distractions:

- Kids walking by

- Another dog crated in the room

- TV on

- Vacuum in the hallway

- You carrying objects (laundry basket, broom)

Keep sessions short but intense: 2–3 minutes, 6–8 reps.

Goal: Dog learns that distractions do not change the job.

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Day 5 — Duration Challenge

- One long session: 10–15 minutes.

- Mix in 3–4 short sessions with movement and noise.

- Add mild food distraction:

- Drop kibble 3–4 feet away

- Walk past with treats in hand

- Place a bowl on the counter

Goal: Dog begins to develop an “off switch.”

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Day 6 — Boundary Respect

Now we tighten the standard:

- No creeping

- No leaning off the edge

- No inching forward

- No whining

- No pawing

Introduce correction for creeping:

A light leash pop back onto the bed, then immediate calm praise.

Goal: Dog understands that stillness is part of the job.

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Day 7 — Proofing Day

Combine everything from the week:

- Duration

- Distance

- Movement

- Noise

- Food

- Kids

- Doorways

- Mild chaos

Run 3–4 sessions of 5–10 minutes each.

Goal: Dog is reliable in the home environment.

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WEEK 2 — DISTRACTION IMMERSION & STEADINESS

Day 8 — Outdoor Introduction

Move place training outside:

- Front porch

- Backyard

- Driveway

Distractions now include:

- Wind

- Birds

- Cars

- Smells

- People walking by

Keep the leash on.

Duration: 2–3 minutes per rep.

Goal: Dog learns that Place applies everywhere.

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Day 9 — Higher‑Level Distractions

Add:

- Bouncing balls

- Toys rolling past

- You jogging around the dog

- You sitting down and standing up repeatedly

- You pretending to leave the area

Goal: Dog stays mentally locked in despite motion.

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Day 10 — Food Temptation Day

Introduce serious food distractions:

- Drop kibble near the bed

- Drop high‑value treats

- Place a bowl 2–3 feet away

- Eat a snack in front of the dog

- Let a kid walk by with food

Goal: Dog learns impulse control under temptation.

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Day 11 — People Distractions

Bring in:

- Kids running

- Kids yelling

- Someone knocking on the door

- Someone walking a dog past the yard

- A stranger approaching the dog (but not touching)

Goal: Dog holds place regardless of human activity.

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Day 12 — Chaos Training

Simulate real‑life chaos:

- Vacuum running

- Music playing

- Doors opening/closing

- People talking loudly

- Toys thrown across the yard

- You leaving the area for 10–20 seconds

Goal: Dog learns that chaos does not change the command.

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Day 13 — Long Duration & Boredom

Now we test the dog’s mental endurance:

- One 20–30 minute session

- Two 10–15 minute sessions

- Mix in distractions randomly

This is where the dog learns to settle deeply.

Goal: Dog can stay calm for extended periods.

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Day 14 — Final Exam

Run a full proofing sequence:

- Duration

- Distance

- Movement

- Food

- People

- Toys

- Chaos

- Outdoor environment

- You leaving the area

- You returning

- Kids running

- Doorbell ringing

End with a clean release and a calm reward.

Goal: A dog that is steady, focused, and reliable in any environment.

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What This Program Produces

By the end of 14 days, the dog will have:

- Rock‑solid steadiness

- Impulse control

- Boundary respect

- Calmness on command

- Focus under distraction

- A reliable off‑switch

- A deep understanding of handler leadership

This is the kind of Place training that makes a dog easy to live with, easy to train further, and mentally balanced.

Why Place Training Comes First

Place training is where everything begins. It’s the first step in teaching a dog how to think, not just how to move.

When a dog learns to hold place, they learn to control their impulses, accept leadership, and stay mentally engaged even when the world around them is moving.

Key Focus Points

- Foundation for all obedience — Sit, stay, heel, steadiness in the field — all of it starts with the ability to hold still and focus.

- Acceptance of dominance — The dog learns who’s in charge, calmly and fairly.

- Adaptation to distractions — From food to motion to chaos, the dog learns that nothing changes the rule.

- Mental steadiness — It’s not about physical stillness; it’s about mental control.

- Field application — You want him to sit in the field, stay steady, and ignore distractions — this is where that begins.

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Place training teaches a dog to earn freedom through calmness.

It’s the first step toward a dog that’s steady in the blind, patient in the house, and respectful everywhere else.