How to Teach Your Beagle to Lay Down

Friendly and loving, the beagle makes a wonderful companion for anyone. These good-natured dogs aren't always easy to train but with some praise and patience they will look to please their owner with a new trick. Here are some tips to teach your beagle to lay down on your command.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start your beagle in the sitting position with attention focused on you. A simple calling of his name or friendly greeting should bring his eyes to you.

2. Give her the signal that it's time to learn by holding your training treat or toy up in the air or giving her a quick sniff. Bend down to her level. If she comes out of the sitting position, wait for her to return and focus again on you.

3. Hold the treat in front of him close to his chest. Try to get him to keep his eyes on you and not the treat. Snap your fingers and say, "Eyes on me." Reward him for keeping his eyes on you until he does it consistently.

4. Bring the treat from her chest directly down in between her paws. Say the word, "down." As she lays down, give her the treat and some praise. Repeat several times.

5. Progress to a stay command from this position gradually by not rewarding the dog if he pops directly back up. Two treats or praise can be given every time he remains in the position until you release the command.

Tips & Warnings

• In all training sessions, wait out distracted or undesired behavior and reward the desired behavior.