How to train a dog to lie down
Once your dog has mastered 'sit' it's time to teach them to lie down.
This is a useful behaviour when you want your dog to settle on the floor, either at home or out and about.
With your dog in a sitting position and a treat in your hand, move your hand from your dog's nose towards their chest then straight down towards the floor. Teaching your dog to lie down in six easy steps:
- Your dog should follow the treat into a lying down position. Praise and reward them with the treat immediately.
- Practice this a number of times in short but regular sessions.
- When your dog is easily following the treat into a down position you can start to say the word 'down' just as your dog is getting into the down position.
- Practice this a number of times in short but regular sessions.
- While your dog is lying down give him treats - this will increase the time he spends lying down.
Extra tip:
Practice often and in different places - once your dog is happily lying down on command in your home, start to practice in more distracting environments like the garden or your local park.