Cato Placeboards – Professional Gundog Placework & Position Training Boards
The Cato Placeboards are premium dog training platforms engineered to support precision placework, steadiness and positional control in gundog training and obedience development. Unlike improvised mats or random flat surfaces, Cato boards are designed with trainer-focused features that help dogs learn where to go, stay and develop consistent positional responses during obedience, recall and fieldwork drills.
Purpose-built for place training, these boards provide a stable, elevated target that gives dogs a clear and consistent surface to be placed on or directed toward. Their durability and field-friendly construction make them ideal for use on grass, earth or training fields, whether you are refining steadiness to a whistle, teaching stays or building positional reliability before retrieves are introduced.
Note: Exact dimensions, weight and surface options can vary by supplier; typical training boards are around ~40 cm wide × ~60 cm long × ~9 cm high in standard configuration.
Benefits
Placeboards are widely used by professional trainers because they provide a clear, physical target that helps dogs learn correct body positioning and steadiness cues. Training with a placeboard accelerates understanding of commands such as stay, sit, down and return-to-heel by giving the dog a consistent location to associate with handler expectations.
The elevated and stable surface helps dogs distinguish when they are correctly placed and when they are not, making it easier for handlers to reinforce desired behaviours with precision and reduced ambiguity. Boards with high-traction turf or rubber surfaces also give dogs confidence underfoot, reducing slips and distraction during early placework.
Key Features
- Designed specifically for placework and positional training — clearer cues and targets than improvised surfaces.
- High-traction training surface (often available in turf or rubber variants) that feels comfortable and secure under paws.
- Stable, no-tip design that resists shifting during training, even on uneven terrain.
- Weather resistant and durable — suitable for outdoor use and regular handling.
- Elevated platform helps dogs clearly recognise when they are on or off the board, reinforcing training clarity.
Perfect For
- Developing steadiness and positional control in obedience and fieldwork
- Teaching dogs to stay reliably on a designated location before retrieving or moving off lead
- Structured recall and remote command training
- Preparing for field trials, working tests and shoot day behaviours
- Use with puppies and experienced dogs alike to reinforce reliable responses
