The use of a "place board" can help with initial training of your new puppy / dog to teach them "Sit", "Place/stay", "Over/back" commands, as well as control and body awareness for the dog. Before you go all gung-ho shopping for training equipment for your new dog, look around your home first because a "place board" is one of the more expensive items that can be actually sourced using common items that you may already have in your home or garage. So instead of spending well over $150 for a piece of equipment search your house for alternatives that will save you money for other items that you will likely need- like dog food! Here are a few "house-hold" and repurposed items that can be used for teaching the place command and also for teaching the "over" and "back" commands: 1) carpet tiles, bathmats, couch or chair cushions, cushioned kitchen "anti-fatigue" mats, door mats, rubber mats, etc.. Pros: cheap, on hand, multi-purpose (can be used for dog training and for intended purpose!), variety of texture and color for easy identification by the dog as "place", lightweight and easy to maneuver, does not take up much room when not in use, easy to purchase/find in stores. Cons: can move on some surfaces when dog jumps on/off which could scare or possibly cause injury to dog. Best if either staked down or used on surface where mat will not slide. Some injuries noted from owners spouse using frying pan or spatula on owner for using her brand new bed bath and beyond purchase and returning it covered in dog hair, burrs, and mud. 2) small step stools, exercise stepping platforms, dog beds/raised cots, half shell of dog crate, wooden or plastic crate/box, small indoor trampolines, child sleeping cot, shallow plastic totes, foot stools, etc.. Pros: If you don't already have them earmarked for your own garage sale, they can be easily found at your neighbors! Cheap! Cons: Mainly traction issues for the dog and for the "place item" depending on where you plan on using it. Some work great indoors, others outdoors, trial and error testing needed. Some items can be heavy and or unwieldy. Remove child from sleeping cot before use. 3) DIY build your own. Pros: Cheaper than store bought! Can be made to order in any size, color, or material as your precious handy heart desires. Cons: Materials might be cheap, but you just realized that you a) do not own any wood or metal working tools and now spent $3500 at home depot. b) she married you for your handsome looks, not for being handy. c) you don't have the time or energy because you bought a puppy and work 40+ hrs a week, and d) your neighbors or kids either borrowed the necessary tools and will not return them, lost them, or return them broken, OR your neighbors refuse to lend you theirs because they know better. Answer: a, b, c, d, or any/all of the above. Should you decide to build your own, here are a couple of good ones to build that will last you and your dog for many years to come as long as you don't lend it out, hit it with a tractor while mowing, run it over with your truck, or the kids decide to "borrow" it for some nefarious reason. These "box" designs work as a box to sit in and as an elevated place to sit on. Materials listed, but can be modified to your hearts desire with any scrap lumber you have lying around. Add rope handles for ease of maneuverability.
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