How to Teach a English Springer Spaniel the Place Command
The Place command is an excellent foundation skill for English Springer Spaniels, who thrive on structure and clear direction. Because Springers are highly energetic (requiring 75+ minutes of daily exercise) and prone to over-attachment, teaching them to settle calmly on a designated mat or bed gives them a purposeful "job" and helps manage excitement-driven jumping and barking. This intermediate obedience skill channels their eagerness to please into a relaxing behavior, making it invaluable during mealtimes, visitors, or when you need a reliable calm state. Springers' excellent trainability (4/5) means they'll pick up this command quickly with consistent positive reinforcement and patience.
Step-by-step
- 1
Select and Prepare Your Mat
Choose a comfortable, well-defined mat, bed, or cot in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home—somewhere your Springer can relax without triggering excitable barking at passing activity. Make the mat highly rewarding by only using it during training sessions initially, so your dog builds positive associations.
- 2
Lure Your Springer to the Mat
Using a high-value treat or toy, lure your Springer onto the mat and immediately mark the behavior with 'yes' or a clicker, then reward generously. Keep sessions short (2–3 minutes) to prevent frustration; Springers have high energy, so you want them succeeding before they get bored or restless.
- 3
Add the 'Place' Command
Once your dog reliably moves to the mat for the lure, say 'Place' just as they step on it, mark, and reward. Repeat daily for 1–2 weeks, gradually increasing the duration they stay on the mat before rewarding (start with 5 seconds, build to 30 seconds).
- 4
Reduce Luring and Add Duration
Begin sending your Springer to the mat with a hand signal or verbal cue alone, without the treat lure. Reward them for staying in place for progressively longer periods—this satisfies their need for a clear task and combats over-attachment anxiety.
- 5
Introduce Mild Distractions
Once your Springer stays reliably for 1–2 minutes, add very light distractions: you walking nearby, a door opening, or a family member entering the room. Reward calm, settled behavior heavily; if jumping or barking occurs, reset without frustration and try again.
- 6
Practice in Real-Life Scenarios
Gradually use 'Place' during actual situations: meal prep, doorbell ringing, or visitor arrivals. Start with lower-stress versions of these situations and reward heavily; Springers' scent-drive can trigger recall failure and excitement, so patience with realistic practice is essential.
Pro tips
- Tired Springers learn faster: give your dog 20–30 minutes of vigorous exercise (fetch, running) before Place training sessions. Their high energy and excitability respond better to learning when some of that pent-up energy is already burned off.
- Use 'Place' as a tool to prevent jumping and barking: reward your Springer the moment they move toward their mat when they'd normally jump or bark at a trigger (door, visitor, passing activity). This rewires their default response and taps into their eagerness to please.
- Rotate mat locations gradually: once your Springer masters Place in one spot, practice in different rooms to build generalization. Springers are smart enough to learn that 'Place' means 'go to that specific mat,' so variety teaches them the command works everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
My Springer breaks the Place command as soon as someone knocks on the door—how do I fix this?+
This is common in Springers due to their excitable barking tendency and over-attachment. Practice the command in very quiet settings first until it's rock-solid, then simulate distractions at a much lower intensity (knock gently from another room) before progressing. Always reward heavily for staying in place, and never punish the break—simply reset and try again with less distraction.
How long should a Place session be, given my Springer's high energy?+
Keep training sessions to 3–5 minutes per session, but do 2–3 sessions daily on non-consecutive days. Springers have lots of energy and can lose focus quickly if sessions drag. Shorter, consistent sessions build better habits than long, occasional ones, and they'll actually stay on the mat longer in real life.
Can I use the Place command to manage my Springer's jumping and barking at guests?+
Absolutely—this is one of the best uses for Place. During visitor arrivals, send your Springer to their mat before greeting guests. Reward calmly staying in place heavily, and they'll learn that settling down on the mat is the way to get your attention, not jumping or barking. This directly addresses two of their common challenges.
What if my Springer seems anxious or whines when I send them to the mat?+
Some over-attached Springers may interpret Place as isolation. Start by practicing Place for just a few seconds very close to you, and gradually increase distance and duration only as they relax. Use high-value treats and always keep your tone upbeat. If whining persists, consult a trainer—it may indicate separation anxiety that needs specialized work.