October 27, 2022, 8:42 am | Read time: 5 minutes

If a dog is constantly on edge, it can become unpredictable around other people and animals. The animal itself also suffers from its tension. Therefore, rest periods and sufficient sleep for dogs should not be neglected. With blanket training, also known as place training, dog owners can create a place of relaxation for their pets. The big advantage: once the dog has learned to associate a blanket or mat with rest periods, it can relax better even when traveling, at the office, or in unfamiliar places.

Blanket Training: The Preparation

To start blanket training, a bit of preparation is needed. First, the dog’s favorite treats should be available in sufficient quantities. A mat or blanket is, of course, essential. Lastly, but most importantly for the training, are plenty of calm and patience. With a positive demeanor, the exercises go better than in a stressed state.

Exercise 1: Making the Blanket Appealing to the Dog

Place training begins without saying the word “blanket.” This way, the dog learns to see the blanket as a positive place where it likes to stay.

1. First, take several favorite treats in hand and hold them to the dog’s nose.
2. Then, lead the dog onto the blanket with the treats in front of its nose.
3. Once all four paws are on the blanket, the treats can be placed in front of the dog. The animal should have the opportunity to eat the treats without stress or haste.
4. After the dog has eaten, the association with the blanket can be reinforced by giving more snacks. This way, it can make itself comfortable.
5. The exercise should then be concluded with a recall signal, such as “come,” to lure the dog off the blanket.

Tip: If the dog enjoys the blanket too much, it can be encouraged to run to the owner with a treat. Clapping can also encourage the dog to come along.

Exercise 2: Luring the Dog onto the Blanket Without Treats

To ensure the dog does not associate the blanket or mat solely with treats during place training, the exercise should also be practiced without rewards. “Air treats” are used for this. The owner pretends to have a treat in hand.

1. The owner takes an “air treat” from their pocket and holds it to the dog’s nose.
2. The dog is then lured onto the blanket, as in the first exercise with a “real” treat.
3. Once the dog is in the correct position, it is rewarded with a “real” snack.
4. Afterward, the owner encourages the dog with more “real” treats to stay on the blanket longer and get used to it. Snacks can be placed in front of the dog for this purpose.
5. The exercise ends with a recall signal, and the dog moves off the blanket to the owner.

Warning: If the dog shows signs of stress, the exercise should be paused. If it develops a negative association with the blanket, it will take a lot of patience and effort to retrain.

Exercise 3: Teaching the Dog the Word Signal “Blanket”

The term blanket training already includes the word, so the dog should also be familiar with the signal word “blanket.” This exercise focuses on associating the spoken word with the blanket or mat.

1. The owner says the word “blanket” and within a second begins to lure the dog onto the blanket.
2. Once the dog is on the blanket, it receives a treat as a reward.
3. The dog is then lured off again. A treat can be used to assist with this.

This exercise should be repeated several times until the dog willingly stays on the blanket and even needs to be encouraged to leave the spot.

Tip: It should be almost more challenging to lure the dog off the blanket than onto it. The mindset: “I like to relax on my blanket,” as dog trainer Verena Backhaus says, is a goal of blanket training.

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Exercise 4: The Dog Stays on the Blanket Even When the Owner Walks Away

For successful blanket training, the dog should willingly stay on its blanket even when its owner walks away. This exercise reinforces a positive association with the blanket for the dog.

1. The dog is lured onto the blanket with the signal word “blanket” and, if necessary, with a treat. As a reward, the dog receives a treat.
2. The owner steps a few paces away from the dog, which remains on the blanket.
3. After a brief moment of distance, the owner approaches the dog again and rewards it with another treat.
4. The dog is then called off the blanket and allowed to come to the owner.

This exercise is repeated until the dog is confident in its behavior. If there are signs of stress or tension, the training should be paused.

Also interesting: Teaching the Dog Recall

What to Avoid in Blanket Training

When a dog is learning something new, it should feel secure and rested. Therefore, it is important for dog owners to be patient with their pets. After all, starting can be difficult. Raising one’s voice, intimidating the dog, or even being rough leads to the opposite effect in training: The dog will associate blanket training with something negative. Progress happens much faster with a lot of patience and awareness of when the animal has had enough and both dog and owner should take a break.