“The Forgotten Skill: Why Placeboards Still Matter Beyond the Basics”
Sue Watkins 
Think placeboards are just for puppies? Think again. Discover how this simple tool can sharpen your gundog's delivery, precision, and focus at every s
The Forgotten Skill: Why Placeboards Still Matter Beyond the Basics
When we think of placeboards in gundog training, many of us associate them with the early days—teaching young puppies where to sit, wait, or begin a retrieve. But this humble bit of kit has far more to offer than just a neat delivery point for your Grassroots group.
In fact, placeboards can be a game-changing tool throughout your dog’s entire training life. Used thoughtfully, they offer clarity, build confidence, and sharpen performance in ways that are easy to overlook once the basics are established.
1. Precision in Positioning
Ever had your dog deliver just slightly off-centre, too far back, or not quite square? While it might seem minor, consistent positioning affects steadiness, delivery, and even casting. Placeboards remove the guesswork. They give your dog a defined target, making it far more likely they’ll hit the right spot without micromanagement from you.
2. Boosting Confidence in Unfamiliar Environments
A placeboard can act as an anchor in new or busy environments. It provides a familiar cue to settle or focus, helping dogs regain composure when distractions are high or stress is creeping in.
3. Clarifying Complex Concepts
When teaching more advanced skills like remote sits, push backs, or direction changes, placeboards help you chunk down the learning. By physically separating cues and destinations, you allow your dog to succeed more easily and make sense of the picture you're painting.
4. Helping Hand in Rehabilitation
Whether it’s rebuilding a retrieve after a confidence knock or tidying up sloppy deliveries, returning to placeboard work can re-establish muscle memory and motivation without pressure. It brings structure, making retraining clear and kind.
5. Aiding Multi-Dog Training
If you work more than one dog at a time, placeboards become a valuable management tool. They help prevent creeping, allow for clearer turn-taking, and reduce the risk of dogs crowding each other at the line.
But What About Reliance?
Some trainers worry that using a placeboard too much will make a dog dependent on it—but like any training aid, it’s all about how you use it. We phase in and out of tools all the time: leads, long lines, food pouches. The key is knowing when to fade the board and proof behaviours in its absence.
In Summary
Placeboards aren't just puppy props. They are adaptable, confidence-building tools that deserve a place in even the most seasoned dog’s toolkit. Whether you're shaping a delivery, cleaning up a cast, or simply giving your dog a clear job to do in a busy space, don’t be too quick to shelve the board.