How to Train a Terrier Puppy to Lie Down

Treats

Terrier puppies learn by practice and reward. It may take some time to teach your canine family member to lie down on your command or he may pick it up almost instantly. Terrier puppies are full of energy and can be hard to corral. Each dog is different, so put some time aside and bring along some dog goodies and your patience when you start your dog training.

Things You'll Need

• Dog goodies

Instructions

1. 

   A well-behaved dog

   Pick a time of day that you are not rushed and can devote at a least a half hour to your terrier puppy. Take the dog away from any distractions, such as an unoccupied room, the backyard or a quiet park. It should be just you and your dog when you start this training.

2. 

   Practice the command

   You need to practice saying the command "lie down" so it sounds stern, but not mean. It should be said loud and clear and do not deviate from the two words. If you say "lay down" one time and "lie down" another, the inconsistency of the command will not be helpful for the dog; it will just confuse him and make your training task harder.

3. 

   Practice, practice

   Start with the command, "lie down," and gently help your puppy to that position. Once he is down in the position, give him a dog treat and praise him. Walk around the area with him for a minute or two and repeat the command to "lie down." Once he is in the position again, give him another treat and praise him. Practice this a few more times repeating the exercise exactly the same way.

4. 

   Praise helps.

   The next training session should take place the next day. Do not let too much time lapse between the times you spend with your puppy to train him. Go back to a quiet place away from distractions. This time when you use the command, "lie down," coax the dog down by holding a dog treat in front of him and pull your hand down and away in a forward direction enticing the dog to lie down. You may need to help with a gentle push down with your hand on his back. Once the dog is in the position, again give him the dog treat and lots of praise. Practice this over and over again every day until your dog gets the hang of it.

5. 

   Happy dog, happy owner

   Once the puppy has the hang of the command and does it without any problem, make sure you continue to give him the job to "lie down" and still present him with the treats for doing so. Dogs love to please their owners and they are very proud when they master tasks and make their owners happy.

Tips & Warnings

• After the first few times the dog "lies down" under your command, you can start having your family practice this with the dog. It is important that he understand the command from the whole family.

• Never use punishment when training a dog. Some dogs take longer to train than others. Just be patient and your dog will eventually master "lie down."

References

• Puppy Training Guide: How to Train Your Dog to Lie Down
• Dog Breed Info Center: Training Your New Dog or Puppy
• How to Love Your Dog: Teaching "Lie Down"