How to train your dog to stay away from the dinner table

A client recently asked “how do I teach my dog to not jump at the table like a demented person at dinner time?”

I had a wee chuckle at this because the image it conjures is kinda funny, but I also know how annoying and just plain rude this behavior is to live with.

So as always, rather than saying “no” and getting frustrated, give your dog an opportunity to get a “yes” by training them to go to their mat.

On your Mat

I trained my dog Amelia with the words “go to your mat” and she understood that phrase perfectly, but unfortunately most of the humans in her life couldn’t remember it, so she was often confused. 

To make it easier, shorten the phrase to “On Your Mat”

Photo credit: Matthew Hamilton Dog lying on their bed

This awesome dog training command can be used for so many things, like to keep your dog away from:

• The dining table

• The kitchen

• The diaper changing mat

• Visitors

• You - sometimes you just need some space, especially if you’re walking your sleepless baby up and down the hallway in the wee hours of the morning trying to get them back to sleep 

• The list goes on and on...

The Training Method: On Your Mat

There are lots of different ways to train this command and I’ve chosen what I think is the easiest. It involves luring the dog with treats and you have to start practicing when there are no other distractions.

Step 1

Lay your pup’s mat or bed down beside them. Hold a treat over the mat so they have to touch the mat to get the treat. 

Call your dog away from the mat (treat for the recall)

Repeat step 1 many times

Step 2

Move further away from the mat and toss the treat onto the mat, so pup has to get onto the mat to get the treat.

Call your dog away from the mat (treat for the recall)

Repeat step 2 many times

Step 3

Say “On your mat” and throw the treat onto the mat

Reinforce the mat stay with loads of treats tossed their way, or a stuffed kong or yummy bone to chew on

Call your dog away from the mat (treat for the recall)

Repeat step 3 many times

Step 4

Practice this command whenever you need to get your dog to calm down, back off or get out from underfoot.

For more puppy raising tactics, save your seat in my free masterclass

“3 Simple Tactics for Raising a Well-Behaved Dog”