How to Teach a Basset Hound the Place Command
Teaching a Basset Hound the "place" command is an excellent way to manage their stubborn, easygoing nature while giving them a calm, designated space to relax. This intermediate obedience skill sends your dog to their mat or bed and reinforces a relaxed stay—particularly valuable for Basset Hounds, who can be prone to baying and excessive barking when understimulated. With their low trainability (2/5) and independent streak, patience and high-value rewards are essential. The good news: Basset Hounds are gentle and food-motivated, making positive reinforcement highly effective. This command also prevents scent-driven wandering and gives your dog an appropriate outlet for their calm, lounging temperament. Expect slower progress than other breeds, but consistency will pay off.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the right mat and location
Select a comfortable bed or mat placed in a quiet, low-traffic area—away from exciting scents or windows that might trigger baying. Basset Hounds are scent-driven, so avoid spots near doors or food areas. Let your dog already feel some affinity for the spot before formal training begins.
- 2
Lure your dog to the mat with high-value treats
Use irresistible treats (soft cheese, chicken, peanut butter) to consistently lure your Basset Hound onto the mat. Say 'place' as they step on it, immediately reward, and repeat 10–15 times per session. Basset Hounds respond best to food motivation, so choose rewards better than anything available elsewhere.
- 3
Add the verbal cue and hand signal
Once your dog reliably walks to the mat for treats, introduce a distinct hand signal (point or gentle wave toward the mat). Say 'place' clearly and wait a beat before luring. This builds an association between the word, gesture, and behavior—critical for low-trainability breeds.
- 4
Reinforce the stay with calm rewards
Have your dog on the mat, then reward them for sitting or lying down calmly for 2–3 seconds. Gradually extend the duration in 1–2 second increments over multiple sessions. Use quieter treats (small pieces) and soft praise to prevent excitement-driven baying.
- 5
Increase duration and distance gradually
Once your dog holds the place for 10+ seconds, take one small step away, pause, return, and reward. Slowly increase your distance and duration over weeks. Basset Hounds learn slowly, so spend at least 2–3 weeks on each level before advancing.
- 6
Practice in different environments and handle distractions
Train on the same mat in different rooms, then outdoors if possible. Start in low-distraction settings, then gradually introduce mild scents or background noise. Never rush; Basset Hounds are easily distracted by smells, so patience prevents scent-driven failures and frustration.
Pro tips
- Use a mat with a distinct texture or color so your Basset Hound learns to recognize it visually—this compensates for their stubborn, independent nature and scent-driven focus.
- Rotate treats daily to maintain novelty and motivation; Basset Hounds tire of the same reward quickly, undermining progress.
- Place the mat during your dog's natural rest time (after their 45-minute daily walk), when their energy is lowest and they're most likely to succeed and reinforce calm behavior.
Frequently asked questions
My Basset Hound breaks the stay constantly. Is this normal?+
Yes—Basset Hounds are independent and easily distracted by scents. Short, frequent sessions (5–10 minutes) with very high-value rewards work better than longer ones. Celebrate small wins and never punish; frustration will make them less willing to comply.
How long should each training session be?+
Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes, 3–4 times per day. Basset Hounds have low energy and short attention spans, so quality matters more than quantity. Overtraining leads to stubbornness and boredom.
Should I use the mat during rest time, or only for training?+
Use the mat both ways. Having your dog nap on it naturally reinforces its purpose as a place to relax, making the formal 'place' command more intuitive. This leverages their easygoing temperament.
My dog bays when confined to the mat. What should I do?+
Ignore the baying completely—never reward it with attention. If baying persists, shorten the stay duration and rebuild more slowly. Also ensure your dog gets adequate daily exercise (45 minutes for Basset Hounds) to reduce frustration-based vocalization.