How to Train Your Dog to Crawl

Training your dog to crawl will require consistence and patience. Don't worry that this exercise will affect your dog's ability to follow the sit or down commands; teaching your dog to crawl will help reinforce these commands. Training your dog to perform this trick strengthens the bond between the two of you and is great fun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dog
• doggie treats or toy
• patience

1. 

   A good start to any training session is to have a mildly hungry dog to work with if you are using treats as a reward. It is also preferable to have just played with your pet or taken him for a brisk walk. A tiny bit of fatigue can be helpful in keeping your dog focused on commands.

2. First put your dog in the sit position. Come down onto your knees right in front of him. Hold the treat or toy about 5-6 inches from his nose. If your dog tries to get up gently ease him down with your other hand or give him the sit command. Slowly wiggle the treat in front of him so he stretches down to reach it. Reward him for the behavior.

3. Repeat the steps above about 3-4 times, each time rewarding him for stretching down to reach the treat. If he tries to get up repeat getting him back to the sit position by gently easing him down or giving him the sit command.

4. The next step is to slowly inch the treat or toy away from your pet by a few inches so that he follows it while still in the crawl position. Be patient. When he moves toward the treat without getting up reward him. Repeat exercise 2-3 times until the dog feels comfortable with the movement. Reward and praise your pet.

5. While your dog is inching closer towards the treat, introduce the command "crawl". Practice these exercises daily while always ending on a high note. Limit your sessions to 15 minutes or so a day. Gradually increase the distance he goes towards the treats and reward him at different distances until you have reached about 3-5 ft on one command.

Tips & Warnings

• It isn't necessary to teach the sit command before the crawl command, but it does make it a little easier.
• If your dog shows discomfort or pain when asked to be in certain positions check with your veterinarian for possible causes.
• Never yell at your pet or strike at them to get them to follow your commands. Make training them fun and rewarding. If you feel your patience waning, stop and try again on another day.

[dorigillman]

on 3/4/2009 wow

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/7/2009 Great article on teaching your dog to crawl. Thanks for the tips! 5*

[somatoma]

on 1/10/2009 nice

[sunshine11219]

on 1/9/2009 cool

[LEJockimo]

on 1/8/2009 Now I can tell our dinner guest that the dogs are "crawling" not "stalking" them lol, Thanks!