Using a Place Board as a training aid is a relatively new method in the Gundog world. However it has been around much longer in the dog world in situations like trick training and dog agility; of which I’ve done both with my previous dogs and it works so successfully as a visual target.
Beginning to use the Place Board in my Gundog training journey with my youngest dog not only acts as a visual aid for the dog to see (and feel the different texture) where I am asking them to go; but also means that I am more consistent with my own standing and rewarding position because I too have a visual aid to look for.
If you haven’t heard of a Place Board before it is a raised platform with a different texture to the surface around you. Most are covered in artificial grass or carpets so the dog can feel the difference to the natural grass or dirt track wherever you may be training.
I use the Anglian Dog Works Place Board linked here (Affiliate link) and only wish I’d introduced it sooner!
So here is how I began training my 10 month old Working Cocker Spaniel with the board, but it doesn’t matter how old your dog is, you can always teach them a new skill and enjoy the journey together!
- I want my dog to see that being on the board is the best place in the world. A really positive spot where she will be rewarded with food, verbal praise, toys or a stroke/ tickle – whatever makes the dog happy!
In most of my training I use food lures whilst my dogs are figuring out what exactly I’m after. So I have a treat in my hand in front of my dogs nose, encouraging her onto the board. Fortunately my puppy Wyn loves to be on top of everything so this is super easy for her, but other dogs might take a little longer so don’t rush the process and make sure they’re happy walking onto the board for a treat every time.
2. Once we’ve mastered being on the board I’ll ask for a ‘Sit’. If your verbal sit isn’t strong then you can combine it with a lifting of the treat in your hand which they lift their head up for and their bottom goes down. As soon as her bottom hits the board she gets her reward and I release her off the board. I’m really consistent with saying ‘Ok’ as her release word off the board so it is obvious to her when she is allowed to walk off and not just when she feels like it. I’ll repeat this multiple times – Luring her onto the board, ‘Sit’, reward, ‘Ok’, off the board, reward.
3. Feeling confident with the steps above I’ll then look to sending her off in different directions. When she is sat on the board facing me I’ll release her and throw a treat to the right. She’ll hop off to go and eat it then should remember that if she comes back to the board and sits she gets another treat. I’ll then say ‘Ok’ and throw a treat to the left this time, changing the direction of her exit. Eventually this will help with training directional retrieves. You can also bring in a verbal for the board such as ‘place’ or ‘board’ when they’re moving on to it.
4. When doing this Place Board training I started indoors at home with a calm environment so my dog didn’t get distracted. When they’re succeeding at that you can move to the garden so it’s still a familiar environment but there are more noises and natural distractions. Then you can level up further and go to to the park or a busier environment with people and dogs. Remember not to advance too quickly though, if your dog is overstimulated in one environment take it back a step to a quieter location so they succeed and are rewarded.
5. I can now begin walking away from the board leaving her in a Sit. Walking in a semi circle in front of the board and gradually increasing the distance between my dog and I. If a paw or two comes off the board she will learn to correct herself and reposition onto the board. Or I’ll return, ask her back onto it and we’ll start again, this time with me not walking quite as far so she succeeds and is rewarded.
I’m really enjoying the beginning of this training journey with our Place Board from Anglian Dog Works. It’s well made for using outdoors in different elements but is easy to transport. You can buy yours for just £32 and can even personalise them with your dogs name or your kennel name.
Head on over to our Instagram for a reel of me introducing the Place Board – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YJCNFCLfr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Keep an eye out for the next stage in our Place Board training, eventually it will aid the dog’s retrieves and building a positive pattern which means they’ll then use exactly the same behaviour working in the field but without a Place Board.
Thanks for reading,
Megan, Woody, Wilma and Wyn x
[The place board was purchased by myself but I am using an affiliate link]
The Cotswold Spaniels 