Quiet Time Training: Teach Your Dog the Settle/Place Command

ByGavin Levenstein

When life gets busy—video calls, dinner, guests—teaching your dog to settle on cue is a game-changer. This friendly, step-by-step guide from TailMe shows you how to build a calm, reliable “settle” behavior using positive reinforcement, a comfy mat, and smart enrichment.

Jump to:

  • How do I teach a dog to settle? (5-step quick start)
  • Settle vs Place vs Down: what’s the difference?
  • Step-by-step: teach settle on a mat
  • Work-call calm routine (10-minute pre-call plan)
  • Crate training for calmness (not punishment)
  • Daily enrichment to reduce barking
  • Two-week settle plan
  • Troubleshooting: dog won’t settle or lie down
  • FAQs
  • Sources and further help
  • Shop the tools in this guide

At a glance: how to teach a dog to settle

  • Put a non-slip mat or bed down and cue a relaxed “down.”
  • Mark relaxed moments (soft hips, head down, sighs) and reward calmly.
  • Feed less often as your dog stays settled longer; add a quiet release cue.
  • Introduce mild distractions, then practice in different rooms and routines.
  • Keep sessions short (5–10 min), 2–3 times daily, and end on success.

Time to results: Many dogs learn the basics in 7–14 days with daily practice. Session length: 5–10 minutes, 2–3x per day. Success looks like: Your dog lies down on the mat and remains relaxed for 2–5 minutes around mild household distractions, waiting for a release cue.

Tools used in this guide

  • A comfy mat or bed (for “place” work)
  • High-value treats (pea-sized)
  • Long-lasting chews
  • Lick mat or slow feeder
  • Snuffle mat or treat-dispensing toy
  • Optional crate for a safe quiet zone

Shop the tools:

  • Lick mats for calm time (/lick-mats)
  • Slow feeders & puzzle bowls (/auto-feeders-or-slow-feeders)
  • Treat-dispensing toys (/treat-dispensers)
  • Dog crates & beds (/crates-beds)
  • Interactive toys for mental enrichment (/interactive-toys)

Tip: Add a 60–90s video demo showing “settle on a mat” with the release cue to reinforce these steps.

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Why “settle” matters

Dogs are wonderfully social and energetic. Teaching a reliable settle/place command helps your dog regulate emotions, reduces barking, jumping, and pacing, and gives you breathing room during daily life. It’s not about shutting your dog down—it’s about showing them how to relax on cue.

The science bit (kept simple):

  • Classical conditioning: Calm time on the mat consistently predicts good things.
  • Operant conditioning: Calm behavior is reinforced, so it happens more often.
  • Nervous system: Routine “settle” practice supports the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state.

Settle vs Place vs Down: what’s the difference?

  • Settle: Relax your body and stay calm until released. Duration and relaxation are the goal.
  • Place (mat training): Go to a defined spot (mat/bed) and remain there calmly. Often paired with “settle.”
  • Down: The physical position of lying down. Useful, but not the same as relaxing.

You’ll use “down” to help achieve “settle,” and a mat or bed to define “place.”

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How do I teach a dog to settle? (5-step quick start)

1) Start in a quiet room with a mat. Cue “down.” 2) Mark calm signs (hips to one side, head down, sighs) and reward slowly. 3) Feed less frequently as your dog maintains relaxation; add a release cue (“OK”). 4) Add mild distractions (stand, type, take a call) and reward staying calm. 5) Generalize to new rooms, times of day, and around family activity.

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Step-by-step: teach settle on a mat

1) Create the calm space Place a non-slip mat or bed in a low-distraction area. Have 10–15 soft treats ready.

2) Capture relaxation Cue “down.” As your dog softens—hips tucked, head lowering, a deep breath—say “yes” or click, and place a treat on the mat between the paws. Keep your voice warm and low-key.

3) Build duration Reward every 2–3 seconds at first, then every 5–10 seconds, then every 15–30 seconds as your dog stays relaxed. If they pop up, no problem—reset and lower criteria.

4) Add a release cue After 10–30 seconds of calm, say “OK” (or “free”), toss a treat a step away to release, then invite them back to the mat to repeat. This teaches “settle until released.”

5) Layer in small distractions Stand up, sit down, type, walk a slow circle—reward your dog for choosing to stay settled. Keep difficulty small and predictable at first.

6) Generalize to real life Practice while you watch TV, prep dinner, or chat with a friend. Reinforce occasionally with calm delivery, a lick mat, or a long-lasting chew.

Coach’s note: If your dog struggles to lie down, reward any move toward relaxing (standing still ? sit ? elbow on the floor ? full down). Tiny wins build momentum.

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Work-call calm routine (10-minute pre-call plan)

A simple routine can transform your video meetings:

  • 10 min before: short sniffy potty break or 5-minute decompression walk.
  • 7 min before: 2-minute scatter feed or snuffle mat.
  • 5 min before: cue “place” on the mat, reward a few relaxed breaths.
  • 2 min before: provide a lick mat or long-lasting chew on the mat.
  • During call: quietly drop a treat every few minutes for calm, then release when you hang up.

Related searches this helps: “how to keep dog calm during work calls,” “stop pacing while I work.”

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Crate training for calmness (not punishment)

A crate should feel like a cozy den, not a time-out. Introduce gradually:

  • Add soft bedding and a safe chew. Feed a few meals with the door open.
  • Close the door briefly while you sit nearby; reward quiet relaxation.
  • Build duration slowly, after potty breaks.
  • Use the crate as a choice-rich quiet zone; never as punishment.

This reframes the crate as a safe retreat, useful for puppies, guests, or busy households.

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Daily enrichment to reduce barking

Under-stimulated brains create over-excited bodies. Layer gentle enrichment before high-distraction times:

  • Food puzzles and slow feeders (/auto-feeders-or-slow-feeders)
  • Snuffle mats and scent games
  • Lick mats (/lick-mats) to encourage calm licking
  • Treat-dispensing toys (/treat-dispensers) for independent engagement
  • Short training games (1–3 minutes) sprinkled through the day
  • Interactive toys (/interactive-toys) for mental workouts

Tip: Two minutes of sniffing or licking often lowers arousal faster than a long game of fetch.

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Two-week settle plan (print-friendly)

  • Days 1–3: Quiet room, 5-minute sessions, reward every few seconds for soft body and stillness. Add release cue.
  • Days 4–6: Increase duration to 1–2 minutes with light distractions (stand, sit, type).
  • Days 7–10: Two rooms, two daily routines (e.g., TV time, meal prep). Reward every 10–20 seconds.
  • Days 11–14: Mild real-life challenges (door knock recording, brief guest greeting practice, short call). Aim for 2–5 minutes of relaxed settle with occasional reinforcement.

Goal by day 14: Your dog settles on the mat during everyday tasks and waits for the release cue.

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Troubleshooting: dog won’t settle or lie down

  • Start smaller: Reward a still stand or a sit, then shape toward down.
  • Shorten sessions: 30–60 seconds of success beats 5 minutes of struggle.
  • Change the treats: Use higher-value reinforcers or a lick mat to promote calm licking.
  • Lower distractions: Return to the quiet room for a few sessions.
  • Watch stress signals: Lip licking, scanning, hard panting? Pause and make it easier.
  • Consider needs: Potty, water, temperature, and appropriate exercise (sniffy walk > fetch).
  • Get help: A Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or behavior consultant (IAABC) can provide a personalized plan.

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FAQs

Q: Is “settle” the same as “place”? A: They’re close. “Place” means go to a defined spot (mat/bed) and remain there. “Settle” emphasizes relaxation on that spot. Most teams use them together.

Q: How long should a dog hold a settle? A: Start with 10–30 seconds and build to 2–5 minutes around mild distractions. For daily life, aim for calm through a full call or meal, with occasional reinforcement.

Q: What if my dog won’t lie down? A: Reinforce small steps: stillness ? sit ? elbows down ? full down. Try a larger mat, higher-value rewards, or a gentle leash “U” to guide back onto the mat.

Q: Can I teach settle without a crate? A: Absolutely. A mat or bed is enough. A crate is optional for dogs who benefit from a cozy den-like space.

Q: What age can I start settle training? A: Any age—even puppies. Keep sessions very short (30–90 seconds) and celebrate tiny wins.

Q: How do I calm an over-excited puppy fast? A: Sniffy potty break, short scatter feed, then a lick mat on the mat. Keep your voice low and movements smooth.

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Trusted sources and further learning

  • Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol (widely used, evidence-informed)
  • IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
  • CPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers)

These resources align with positive reinforcement and humane, science-based training.

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Shop the tools in this guide

  • Lick mats for calm time (/lick-mats)
  • Slow feeders & puzzle bowls (/auto-feeders-or-slow-feeders)
  • Treat-dispensing toys (/treat-dispensers)
  • Dog crates & beds (/crates-beds)
  • Interactive toys for mental enrichment (/interactive-toys)

Soft tip: Place a mat in a few common spots and keep a small treat jar nearby so calm gets reinforced consistently.

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Final thoughts from TailMe

Quiet Time Training gives your dog a language for relaxation—and gives you predictable pockets of calm. With a comfy mat, consistent rewards, and small daily reps, most dogs learn to settle beautifully in just a couple of weeks. Keep it kind, keep it consistent, and celebrate the chill.

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