Things You'll Need:
- Dog treats
- Plenty of patience
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Step 1
Take your dog on a walk or have an active play session before beginning to teach him to play dead. This will tire him and make him ready to lie down on command.
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Step 2
Make learning a new trick fun for your dog. Always use praise and positive reinforcement to encourage your dog to perform a new trick. Use a food treat to teach your dog to play dead.
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Step 3
Train your dog in basic obedience skills before beginning new tricks. He will need to understand the command to sit before he can learn to lie down.
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Step 4
Tell your dog to sit. Hold a treat in front of his nose and quickly move it down to the floor or ground. Say "Down" as you lower the treat. Your dog will follow the treat with his nose and will soon be lying down when he hears you give the "Down" command.
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Step 5
Notice which side your dog is leaning toward. Hold a treat in your right hand just in front of his nose and move it in a circle. Your dog will follow the treat with his nose, causing his head and upper body to turn over.
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Step 6
Give the command to "roll over" and push him over on his back so you can give him a good belly rub and praise him in a happy, sing-song voice. Make him feel like he has just done the greatest thing.
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Step 7
Reward him with a treat when he stays down lying on his back. Repeat this process in 5 to 15 minute sessions until your dog has learned to lie down and roll over.
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Step 8
Start gradually changing from moving your hand in a circular motion and start pointing at your dog, saying "play dead." Move farther away from your dog and give the "play dead" command when you point at him. Eventually you will be able to tell your dog to "play dead" and he will immediately flop down and roll over on his back.
