How to Teach Your Labrador to Lie Down

Training your dog in basic obedience is essential for a happy, healthy relationship with your dog. This is especially true if your dog happens to be of an overly friendly breed such as the Labrador. Before teaching your dog to lie down, you should teach him the "sit" command. You will be happy to see that the "lie down" is a natural progression from the "sit," so congratulations. You are half way there already.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leash
• Bite-sized dog treat

1. Pick a spot that is quiet and has few distractions. You need your dog's undivided attention. If you are teaching your dog outdoors, make sure you use a leash.

2. Put your Labrador in the "sit" position. Call his name and hold a treat in your closed fist. If your Labrador attempts to get up and come to you, give him an instant correction and have him sit again.

3. Take a treat in your closed fist and bring it to your Labrador's nose. Move the treat downward at a slight angle away from your dog. She will follow the treat down into the lying position. Give the verbal command "down" while you are doing this. Repeat this technique three to four times. Be inconsistent with your treat rewards, but verbally praise her every time.

4. Alter the angle and distance of your hand from your dog's nose on your way down. You will need to do this if your dog is getting up out of the sitting position and does not go into the lying down position. When she gets up, give a quick correction and try again. If she continues to get up out of the sit position, try a different technique to get her to lie down. It is very important that the dog stay seated and then lie down on your command.

5. Change your technique entirely if your Labrador just will not stay seated. Put pressure with one of your hands on your dog's back above his butt. Hold the collar with the other hand and pull straight down and very slightly in towards your dog's chest. If he tries to stand up, apply more pressure on his backside. Repeat this iteration a few times and then try the technique in Step 4 again.

6. Change your technique again when your dog has mastered this. From a standing position away from your dog, have him sit. Once he is seated, use a subtle and nonthreatening hand signal and verbally give the "down" command. Repeat this three to four times before moving on to the verbal-only training.

7. Repeat the last step without using your hand motions. Work with your Labrador with only voice commands. Once she gets this, repeat it three to four times and always be inconsistent with your treat rewards.

Tips & Warnings

• Train your dog just after she eats a meal. Studies have shown that dogs respond much better to training after they have eaten.
• Always verbally praise your dog for everything that she does right.
• Keep your training session short, 12 to 15 minutes. A dog's attention span is very short.
• Do not hit, force or otherwise punish your dog for noncompliance. A quick correction is all that is necessary. If you do otherwise, your dog will lose respect and become fearful. A fearful dog is a dangerous dog.