How to Teach a German Shepherd to Lie Down

The German shepherd is considered by many to be the most regal of all dog breeds. As a working dog, the German shepherd has developed a keen sense of loyalty, fierce devotion and extreme intelligence over the years. These character traits not only make the dog desirable to own but also very easy to train. Read on to learn how to teach a German shepherd to lie down.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Teach your German shepherd to sit, first. As your dog masters the basic skill of sitting, she will progress easily to lying down. This is because most dogs naturally go to the sit position on their way to the lying down position.

2. Put your dog into the sit position and call her name. Stand in front of your German shepherd. Always start by calling your dog's name in order to get her undivided attention. Give the verbal command to lie down and either push down on your dog's shoulder blades or pull her front paws toward you and physically put her in the lie down position. Verbally praise your dog, pat her on her head and then repeat the process two to three times.

3. Stop physically assisting your dog into the down position and start incorporating hand signals into your training. Resist the temptation to use an outstretched arm and palm-up hand signal. This can appear to be threatening to the dog, which is particularly not desirable in the German shepherd breed. Use a signal that keeps your hand close to your body, and do not deviate from it. Consistency is the key.

4. Stand in front of your German shepherd and call her name. Tell her to lie down and also use the hand signal. Do not immediately help her down if she does not get it the first time. Give her a few chances. Once she gets it, repeat the process two to three more times.

5. Continue working your German shepherd--this time with just your hand signals. Always stand in front of your dog and call his name first. Once your dog has mastered lying down with just hand signals, continue for two to three more repetitions.

6. Switch to just using your voice. Step in front of your dog, call her by her name and tell her to lie down (using the command you chose). Repeat this process two to three times. Your dog is now on her way to being trained in the basics of obedience.

Tips & Warnings

• Use bite-sized dog treats as a reward system for good behavior. Start out rewarding liberally--then become more inconsistent with your treats.
• If more than one person owns your dog, make sure only one of you trains the dog. Dogs will follow and respect one owner who is the leader--who becomes to the dog a substitute "alpha male" or leader of the dog pack. More than one owner during the training can be confusing for a dog.
• Train your dog in short sessions, especially if you are training a puppy. The attention span is just like a small child's. It is only good for 12 to 15 minutes at a stretch.
• Use smooth hand signals, not sharp or jerky. Use a confident, bold voice. Yelling, hitting or quick movements instill fear in a dog. A frightened German shepherd is a safety hazard, not a pet.