"Go to Your Spot!” – The Power of Stationing via Mat Work

Does This Sound Like Your Pup?
😩 Always underfoot in the kitchen?
🤨 Counter-surfing for snacks?
😠 Grumbling when asked to move off the couch?
😕 Overstimulated in new places?
🙈 Launching at guests (human or canine)?

Stationing–teaching your dog to settle on a mat, bed, or in a crate—is more than a trick. It’s a lifeline for clarity and calm. By giving your dog a “job” (staying in their spot), you help them:
✔️ Self-regulate in overwhelming situations
✔️ Focus amid distractions
✔️ Feel safe anywhere—at home, while traveling, or in busy environments

Why Stationing Works

✅ Predictable + Rewarding
The mat becomes a “security checkpoint” where treats, chews, and praise happen consistently. Over time, it becomes their portable safe zone.

✅ Boundaries Without Conflict
Guests and family learn to respect the space, giving your dog a polite way to opt out (“I need a break”).

✅ Foundation for Real-World Manners
Instead of chaos and constant requests for attention, you get a dog who chooses calm.

Goal:

A dog who can:

1. Settle calmly (down/stay) even with distractions
2. Generalize the skill to new locations (friends’ homes, patios, vet offices)
3. Go to their spot on cue (from various distances and positions)

This isn’t just a “stay.” It’s teaching your dog to actively disengage from stress and default to relaxation.

How to Build Stationing Skills: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create a Treat Magnet

• Place one treat on the mat.
• When your dog’s paws touch the mat, rapidly deliver 2–5 more treats on the mat.
• Toss a "reset treat" 3–4 feet away to restart the sequence.
• Repeat 5–8 times per session.

🎯 Does your dog eagerly return to the mat? Time for Step 2!

Step 2: Shape the Down Position

• As your dog returns to the mat, lure into a down position (or wait for them to offer it).
• Reward with 2–5 treats between their paws to anchor the position.
• Use a reset treat to begin again.
• Gradually fade out the lure as your dog understands.

🎯 Does your dog automatically lie down? Advance to Step 3!

Step 3: Add a Verbal Cue & Introduce Distractions

1. Say your cue as they move to the mat ( “Mat,” “Go to Your Spot, Place,” etc.).
2. Reward generously (3–5 treats) while they’re in position.
3. Introduce “The 3 D’s”:

• Distance: Take one step away.
• Duration: Count to 3 before treating.
• Distraction: Slightly move your body or a nearby toy.

🎯 Does your dog respond from across the room? Now you're training!

Progression Tips

• Build duration slowly: Start with 5-second stays, increasing by 2–3 seconds per session.
• Generalize the skill: Practice in at least three locations (bedroom, kitchen, yard).
• Use real-life rewards: Offer a chew on the mat while you eat.
• Pair with Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol (MP3s here) for next-level calm.

Keep it impactful in just 2–10 minutes a day:

• 🍳 Cooking time: Station near the kitchen entrance.
• 📞 Phone calls: Mat at your feet with a chew.
• 🎬 TV time: Alternate between mat work on commercial and a chew.
• 🏡 Guest arrivals: Pre-position in containment or tethered before the doorbell rings.

What Your Dog Is Really Learning

🧠 “When unsure → go to mat = good things happen”
🐾 How to self-settle amid daily activity
💖 That calm behavior earns rewards