Teaching Place, Made Easy: Tiny Training Moments for a Calmer Aussie (Even When the Doorbell Betrays You)
- Jill
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
True story from Jill- I never actually taught this until we made the big decision to retire our first two Aussies, and get more puppies as future breeding mommas. I mean, all my dogs barked and lunged at the door. The "place" command was something professional dog trainers did to look good on YouTube. LOL- not Jill, I mean, how on earth was I going to accomplish that?? I decided it was a state of mind that my brain was stuck on. So, I chose to change it. It began when we adopted Pepper. I thought. I can start with just her and see how it goes. You know what? I proved myself wrong!!! She was great! (and it's ok to say- so was I !!! I was great! I tried and committed to it, and we BOTH accomplished it!) Now, we have taught it to every dog since her. So our young dogs are WAY better at this than our "seniors". But that's ok. Rome wasn't conquered in a day.
So, if your puppy hears the doorbell and immediately transforms into a security system with legs… welcome. 😅And if they already believe Amazon Prime is the source of all evil? Honestly… relatable.
“Place” is one of the best real-life skills you can teach an Aussie because it creates something most smart, busy pups desperately need:
A clear job to do when life gets exciting.
But here’s the part I want you to hear up front:
Doorbell-level “Place” takes way more than 5 minutes.
Your 5-minute routine is how you build the foundation.The doorbell is the final exam.
So we’re going to train this in Tiny Training Moments, stack it onto meals with habit stacking, and build up to harder challenges over a few weeks—because that’s how it actually works in real life.
And yes, it’s absolutely doable.
What “Place” Really Means (In Real Life)
Place means:✅ go to your mat/bed✅ stay there calmly✅ wait until released
So “place” is basically a combo skill:
go to a spot
settle
stay/wait
release on cue
That’s why it’s powerful—and why it takes reps.
Why a Raised Bed Can Help (Especially at First)
You can use a mat, but a raised bed is often easier for beginners because:
it has clear edges (boundaries are obvious)
it feels like a “defined station”
it’s harder for the puppy to creep forward without stepping off
If you prefer a mat—great. Just make sure it:
doesn’t slide
has a clear shape/edge
stays consistent early on (same mat, same spot)
Color doesn’t matter to your puppy. Boundaries + rewards do.
Tiny Training Moments + Habit Stacking
We’re going to stack training onto something you already do daily:
Add 5 minutes to your puppy’s meals each day.
Why? Because you’ll actually do it.
Because as you already know: Tiny habits are so small they slip past your brain’s resistance—making them easy to start, easy to keep, and powerful for building momentum.
Meals happen. Training becomes automatic. Your puppy starts winning a little every day.
The 5-Minute Mealtime “Place” Routine (1 Minute Each)
Use part of your puppy’s meal as rewards (kibble works great). If your puppy is extra spicy, toss in a few higher-value treats.
Minute 1: “Bed = Best Deal”
Toss 5–10 pieces of kibble onto the bed/mat.
If your puppy steps on it? Great—more kibble appears.If they step off? No drama—just reset by tossing another piece onto the bed.
Goal: the bed becomes valuable.
Minute 2: Add the Cue (“Place”)
Wait until your puppy is about to step onto the bed/mat, then say:
“Place” (calm voice)and immediately reward on the bed.
Don’t overuse the word yet—say it when you’re confident they’ll succeed.
Goal: the cue starts to mean “go to your station.”
Minute 3: Feed Calm (Slow Treats)
Now we pay for the part people skip:
calm stillness
While your puppy is on the bed:
deliver treats slowly (every 2–3 seconds)
reward lower energy (sitting/lying down, softer body)
Goal: your puppy learns that calm is the job.
Minute 4: Add Stay/Wait (Tiny Duration)
Here’s where your stay/wait cue can pair beautifully.
While your puppy is on place, say:
“Wait” (for short pauses) or
“Stay” (if you want more formal)
Then count:1…2…3 and reward.
If they get up or step off:
quietly reset to place
shorten your time
reward sooner
Goal: hold position briefly, then build.
Minute 5: Release Word (Permission Matters)
Pick a release word and stick with it:“OK,” “Free,” “Break” — any one is fine.
Say the release word, then toss a treat off the bed so they step off.
This teaches a critical rule:Place ends when YOU release.
Otherwise your puppy learns: “I just wander off whenever I feel like it.” (Which they will happily do.)
What If My Puppy Keeps Stepping Off?
Totally normal. It doesn’t mean “they can’t do place.” It means:
you asked for too much too soon.
Fix it by:
shortening duration (back to 1–2 seconds)
rewarding faster
lowering excitement in the environment
doing fewer reps, more often
Place is a calm habit. Calm habits take time.
The Ladder: How to Build Up to Doorbells (Without Losing Your Mind)
Here’s the honest progression. Don’t skip steps.
Level 1: Calm Room (Week 1)
Practice place during meals and quiet moments.Goal: puppy runs to bed when you point or say “place.”
Level 2: Mild Distractions (Week 2)
Add tiny challenges:
you take one step away and return
you sit down and stand up
you open the fridge
you pick up keys
Reward heavily. Keep it easy.
Level 3: The “Fake Doorbell” (Week 3+)
Before you ever use the real doorbell:
play a doorbell sound quietly on your phone
reward on place
increase volume slowly over days
Level 4: Real Doorbell = Final Exam
This is the big one. The doorbell is exciting, loud, and historically associated with:people! packages! chaos!
So yes—your puppy may need weeks of lower-level practice first. Especially if Amazon Prime has already traumatized your household. 😄
A Simple “Door” Practice Plan (When You’re Ready)
When your puppy is solid at levels 1–2:
Ask “place”
reward on the bed
you walk toward the door
return and reward
release
Later, add:
touching the doorknob
opening the door an inch
stepping outside for one second
coming back and rewarding
Slow is fast here.
How You’ll Know “Place” Is Working
Wins to look for:
your puppy runs to the bed when cued
your puppy settles faster
you can move around without them popping up
the “job” becomes automatic in predictable situations
That’s a calmer dog and a calmer house.
A Personal Note (Because This Skill Changes Everything)
Place isn’t about forcing your puppy to “be still.”It’s about giving them a safe, clear job that helps them succeed when they’re excited.
If your puppy struggles with the doorbell, guests, kids, dinner prep, or general FOMO… this is a skill worth building.
Just remember: your 5-minute routine builds the foundation. Doorbells come later.
And yes—it’s possible to go from “Amazon is evil” to “go to place” with enough tiny moments stacked over time.
You’ve got this. 🧱✨
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