How to Train Your Dog To Lay Down.

Crave that calm dog walking by your side, sitting pretty and laying down? That could be your dog with a bit of training. In the following steps learn how to train your dog to lay down on command.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Treats
• Dog
• Patience
• Time
• You

1. The first step is to face your dog with his attention on you. Until you both figure out what you are doing stick with a no to low distraction area.

2. Start with your dog in a sit position. For more information on training how to sit see my article on, "How to train your dog to sit pretty."

3. With a treat in the tips of your fingers let your dog smell the treat. Do not let him/her have the treat.

4. With your hand palm down, start a downward motion with your hand with a start point at your dog's nose level. From the sit their body will follow into a down position.

5. When your dog is laying down give the treat. Don't forget to give plenty of praise. Saying the word down is up to you. Your hand movement is the key to the training.

6. When your dog is laying down consistently start to give the treats intermittently or randomly when the down is performed.

Tips & Warnings

• Once trained, your dog will go to a down position with just a flat handed, palm down gesture of your hand.
• Consistent hand movement and form of hand is important so your dog does not become confused. If you use the word down be sure to be consistent in the use of down also. For example picture if your dog is laying down on the couch and you say down. He/she is already down so why move. Maybe the word off would be more effective.
• For a dog whom will not lay down on the ground to get treat, lure under you legs and say, "good down." when you give treat. He/she will get the idea.
• Don't let your dog get the treat when sniffing prior to the hand gesture. If they get the treat the motivation is gone.
• Decrease treats to a random disbursement. Remember to give praise. This will become the reward when training is done.

[Ballzy]

on 10/31/2008 Thanks for the great information! Im happy i dont not have to pay someone one to get my dog to do this! 5*

[veryirie]

on 10/30/2008 These are such good instructions!Thanks!