How to Teach a Havanese the Place Command
Teaching the "place" command to your Havanese is an excellent way to manage their natural tendency toward over-attachment and separation anxiety while channeling their playful intelligence into a productive behavior. This intermediate obedience skill involves sending your dog to a designated mat or bed and rewarding them for staying calm and relaxed there, even when you move away. For Havanese dogs—who are deeply affectionate and sociable—the place command provides structure, confidence, and a sense of security in their own space. Since Havanese are highly trainable (4/5) but prone to anxiety when separated from their owners, this command works beautifully to build independence gradually. With consistent positive reinforcement and short, frequent training sessions tailored to their moderate energy level, your Havanese will learn to enjoy their mat as a safe retreat rather than a punishment zone.
Step-by-step
- 1
Introduce the mat with high-value rewards
Set up a designated mat or bed in a quiet area of your home and place it near you during daily activities. Toss high-value treats (soft, smelly ones your Havanese loves) directly onto the mat consistently throughout the day, encouraging them to investigate and associate it with positive things. Do this in short bursts over several days until your Havanese actively seeks out the mat on their own.
- 2
Lure and mark the behavior
Once your Havanese is comfortable with the mat, use a treat lure to encourage them to step onto it. The moment all four paws touch the mat, mark the behavior with a happy "yes!" or clicker sound, then immediately reward with a treat. Repeat this 5–10 times in short sessions, keeping energy light and playful to maintain your Havanese's enthusiasm.
- 3
Add the verbal cue and hand signal
Before luring your Havanese to the mat, say "place" clearly and gesture toward the bed with an open hand. Immediately lure them to it, mark, and reward. Practice this 10–15 times per session over several days until they begin moving toward the mat when you say the word, even without the lure. Your intelligent Havanese will learn this quickly.
- 4
Build duration on the mat
Once "place" is reliable, reward your Havanese *while* they're on the mat rather than immediately after leaving it. Start by rewarding them after just 2–3 seconds of staying put, then gradually extend the time to 10–15 seconds as they gain confidence. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) to prevent frustration and honor their moderate energy level.
- 5
Introduce distance and minor distractions
Gradually step a few feet away while your Havanese remains on the mat, rewarding them frequently for staying in place. Because Havanese are prone to separation anxiety, move away very slowly—just one step at a time—and always return to reward before they break the stay. Add soft background noise or movement only after they're fully confident at a distance.
- 6
Practice in different locations and contexts
Once your Havanese reliably holds the place command in a familiar spot, practice the behavior in other rooms and gradually busier environments (kitchen, living room, etc.). Use lighter rewards in relaxed contexts and higher-value treats when distractions are present. This variety builds generalization and reinforces that the mat is a safe, rewarding place anywhere.
Pro tips
- Reward your Havanese *on* the mat, not after they leave it. This reinforces that the mat itself is the good place, reducing their anxiety about being separated from you and building a genuine love for their space.
- Train before your Havanese's daily 30-minute exercise session when they have mild restless energy—they'll be more focused but not overly keyed up, making the task feel natural rather than restrictive.
- Use this command as a bonding tool, not a punishment. Your affectionate Havanese thrives on positive interaction, so make the mat a place they *want* to go because it means good things happen there, building trust and independence simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
My Havanese whines and tries to follow me when I move away from the mat. Should I comfort them or ignore it?+
Ignore the whining and remain calm; comforting reinforces the anxious behavior. Instead, return to the mat and reward them for being on it before moving away again. Move only one step at a time, and always come back before they escalate. This gradual approach respects their separation anxiety and builds confidence that you'll return.
How long should training sessions be for a Havanese?+
Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily. Havanese have moderate energy and can lose focus quickly, so short, frequent sessions work better than one long session. This also prevents frustration and maintains their playful motivation, especially important for a breed prone to anxiety.
Can I use the place command to manage barking or hyperactivity?+
Yes, absolutely. Sending your Havanese to their mat during moments of excitement or excessive barking gives them a calm activity to redirect their energy and helps prevent over-stimulation. Reward them heavily for staying calm on the mat, and this becomes a valuable management tool for their barking tendency and playful nature.
What if my Havanese keeps jumping off the mat before I give them permission?+
This is normal and expected. Simply reset by placing them back on the mat without frustration, then reward immediately for being on it. If they keep breaking the stay, you're likely asking for too much duration too quickly; return to rewarding them for shorter stays (2–3 seconds) and build up more gradually.