How to Teach a St. Bernard the Place Command
The "Place" command is an essential tool for St. Bernard owners, helping redirect your gentle giant's natural tendency to jump, lean, and follow you everywhere. Given the breed's moderate trainability and low energy level, St. Bernards are well-suited to learning a relaxed place-stay, as they naturally prefer settling down to high-energy activities. Teaching your St. Bernard to reliably go to a mat or bed and hold a stay is especially valuable during household chaos—doorbell visits, mealtime, or when your dog's size makes jumping particularly problematic. Since St. Bernards mature slowly and respond best to patience and consistency, this intermediate-level command requires a methodical, positive approach. With their watchful yet friendly temperament, they'll appreciate the security of having a designated spot. This guide uses reward-based training exclusively to build a behavior your St. Bernard will happily repeat.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose and Place the Training Mat
Select a comfortable, washable mat or dog bed in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home—this becomes your St. Bernard's designated place. Position it where your dog can observe the household without being in the middle of activity; St. Bernards are watchful by nature and will appreciate this spot. Secure the mat in the same location every time to create a clear association.
- 2
Introduce the Mat with Treats and Praise
Place high-value treats (cheese, chicken) directly on the mat while your dog watches. When your St. Bernard walks onto the mat voluntarily, immediately reward with enthusiastic praise and another treat. Repeat this 5-10 times per short training session, keeping sessions brief to match the breed's moderate trainability and prevent boredom.
- 3
Add the 'Place' Cue and Reward the Settle
Once your St. Bernard readily approaches the mat, say 'Place' clearly just before they step on it, then reward immediately. Begin rewarding longer stays—first 5 seconds, then 10, then 20—rather than constant treats. St. Bernards' slow maturity means patience is essential; some dogs take weeks to grasp this, so avoid frustration.
- 4
Introduce Brief Distance and Distractions
Gradually ask your dog to go to place from farther away, then add mild distractions (you moving around, mild noise). Since the breed struggles with jumping and leash-pulling due to their size, this command helps manage those behaviors by giving them an alternative, calm activity. Keep distractions minimal and reward heavily for success.
- 5
Practice Duration and Release Consistently
Extend the stay duration slowly—aim for 2-3 minutes of calm settling before you release with a marker word like 'Free!' Consistency matters with St. Bernards; practice the same time each day, ideally after their 45 minutes of daily exercise when they're naturally settling. Your watchful breed will learn the routine quickly once it's established.
- 6
Use Place in Real-Life Scenarios
Start using the place command during low-stakes moments—meal prep, when guests arrive, or instead of jumping at the door. Reward generously for compliance in these situations. As your St. Bernard matures, the behavior becomes automatic, and you'll have a reliable way to manage their size and gentle, but sometimes intrusive, family involvement.
Pro tips
- Train place after your St. Bernard's 45-minute daily exercise routine—a slightly tired, calm dog learns faster and stays on the mat longer. This breed's low energy is an advantage; use it.
- Use a consistent release word like 'Free!' every single time, and celebrate your St. Bernard off the mat. This creates a clear boundary and prevents the dog from self-releasing, a common struggle with strong, determined giants.
- Account for your St. Bernard's slow maturity by being patient with setbacks; what they learn one day may take several repetitions to solidify. Expect the full behavior to take 4-8 weeks of consistent daily practice, not days.
Frequently asked questions
My St. Bernard is already a year old and hasn't learned much. Is it too late to teach place?+
No. St. Bernards mature slowly and remain trainable well into their second or third year. Use shorter, frequent sessions and expect it to take longer than other breeds. Their calm temperament actually makes them ideal for learning place once they settle into maturity.
How do I reward my St. Bernard on the mat without encouraging jumping back off?+
Toss treats onto the mat while your dog is settling, rather than handing them over. This keeps your dog's attention on the mat itself. Reward in place, release with 'Free,' then celebrate off the mat. This prevents the reward from becoming a reason to leave the spot.
My St. Bernard gets anxious when separated from the family. Will place training make it worse?+
No, when done correctly. The place command builds confidence by creating a secure, designated spot. Keep initial stays short and always practice when you're nearby. The goal is calm settling near you, not isolation—St. Bernards thrive on proximity but benefit from boundaries.
Should I use the place command to punish jumping or pulling on the leash?+
Never. Place should always be a reward-based, positive command—never a time-out or consequence. Send your dog to place when they're calm or just before jumping is likely, and reward heavily. This makes it a choice they want to make, not something forced upon them.