Four Placeboards

Once your dog is confidently going on and off the placeboards and completing the previous exercises off lead, you can begin to introduce four placeboards.

This exercise builds on everything your dog has learnt so far and starts to develop more independence, focus and control around multiple targets.

Begin by placing four boards relatively close together. You can then practise recalling your dog from one board to another, using your “place” cue and rewarding your dog as soon as they reach the correct board and complete the behaviour.

Placeboards can also be used to develop steadiness and self-control. Sit your dog on one board and calmly walk around and between the boards. Reward your dog for remaining settled and focused while you move around them.

As your dog becomes more confident and reliable, gradually increase the distance between the boards. This will add more challenge and require your dog to listen carefully to your cues rather than simply choosing the nearest target.

Remember to progress slowly and only increase the difficulty when your dog is succeeding. Placeboard training is about creating understanding, confidence and a dog that chooses to work with you, even with distractions around them.