What is a Place Board?

Place Boards are essential training tools in dog training, helping to cut the confusion and communicate to dogs exactly where we want them to be during obedience and skill exercises. These raised platforms are versatile for all types of dog training, including gundog training and everyday recall or obedience drills.

Why Use a Place Board in Dog Training?

A Place Board, or dog training platform, serves as a defined "home base" for your dog, giving them a clear, tactile area to target during training. This structure simplifies teaching and reinforcing behaviours by providing a consistent space where your dog knows they’ll receive positive reinforcement. It’s especially useful for achieving rock-solid sit-stays, precise recalls, and steady retrieves.

The Benefits of Place Boards for Gundog Training

For gundog training, Place Boards are highly effective tools that build steadiness and focus. By repeatedly working with the Place Board, gundogs learn to focus on a precise spot and remain steady until given further instruction, which translates well to their fieldwork. Anglian Dog Works (ADW) provides Place Boards specifically designed for durable use in various training environments.

How to Introduce Your Dog to a Place Board

Using ADW's T.A.R.G.E.T. method, you can introduce your dog to the Place Board in a way that builds confidence and clarity:

1. T – Teach: Begin by luring your dog onto the board using treats, marking the behaviour when they step on.
2. A – Associate: Reward your dog for being on the board, creating positive associations with the Place Board.
3. R – Remove the Lure: Gradually transition from luring with treats to guiding them onto the board with hand cues only.
4. G – Give it a Name: Introduce the cue, such as “Place,” as your dog learns to associate the board with specific commands.
5. E – Extend: Slowly increase the time they’re required to stay on the board before being released.
6. T – Travel: Add distance and distractions, developing sit-stay steadiness and your dogs ability to target the board independently.

Essential Skills for Place Board Dog Training

A Place Board can be used to teach several key dog obedience skills:

• Sit-Stay: Reinforce a reliable sit-stay by rewarding your dog for maintaining the position on the board. You can increase challenges gradually by adding distractions.

• Recall Training: By using a Place Board as the target point for recall, you ensure your dog returns directly to you without veering off or “dancing” out of reach. This focus on targeting a specific area encourages a direct and enthusiastic return.

• Retrieving to Hand: For dogs trained to retrieve, the Place Board is a visual marker that guides them back to a specific spot in front of you, ideal for precise retrieves and gundog work.

Choosing the Right Place Board for Your Dog’s Needs

Place Boards vary in design and materials, but it’s essential to choose a board that is non-slip and sturdy enough to withstand outdoor use. Anglian Dog Works’ Place Boards are crafted specifically for these requirements, providing a tactile, textured surface that feels distinctly different from the ground, helping your dog recognize their training zone.

FAQs About Place Board Dog Training

What size Place Board should I use? A Place Board should be large enough for your dog to sit on comfortably. The ADW Place Boards are designed to suit various breeds and training needs. Not being too large, not only encourages precise positioning, but also prevents dogs from laying down in extended sit-stay drills.

How does the Place Board help with gundog training? Place Boards offer a clear visual target and structured training space, helping gundogs learn to wait and respond precisely, which are critical skills for fieldwork.

Is a Place Board suitable for pet dogs? Absolutely. Place Boards are beneficial for all dogs, enhancing focus and obedience, which are valuable in both everyday life and specialized training.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting with obedience training or refining your gundog’s skills, a Place Board from Anglian Dog Works provides a versatile and effective training platform. By providing clear, consistent feedback on a specific target, Place Boards help dogs learn quicker and retain training skills longer, making them a valuable addition to any training program.