Teaching your dog to lie down on command will help him develop self-control and will be very useful in everyday life with your pet. Keep in mind that it is an exercise that is not easy to teach to all dogs because it puts them in a vulnerable position. Therefore, you have to be very patient when training your dog to lie down on command.
The final criteria you must achieve is for your dog to lie down on command and hold that position for one second. To achieve this training criterion, you must break the exercise into several simpler criteria.
In this article on our site we tell you about the training criteria you will work on in this exercise: your dog lies down when you make the signal, your dog stays down for a second, your dog lies down even if you are moving, your dog stays down for a second even if you are moving, your dog lies down on command Remember that you must train in one place calm, without distractions, and closed, until all the proposed training criteria are met.
Criterion 1: Your dog lies down when you signal
Hold a small piece of food to your dog's nose and slowly lower your hand to the ground between your dog's front legs. pet. Following the food, your dog will lower his head, then his shoulders, and finally lie down.
When your dog lies down, click with a clicker and give him the food. You can give him the food while he is lying down, or have him get up to take it as in the sequence of photos. It doesn't matter if your dog gets up after you click. Repeat this procedure until your dog lies down easily each time you lead him with the food. From then on, gradually reduce the movement you make with your arm, until it is enough for you to extend your arm downward for him to lie down. This may take several sessions.
When you have gotten your dog to lie down only when you extend your arm down, practice making this signal without having food in the hand. Every time your dog lies down, click, take a piece of food from the fanny pack or your pocket and give it to your dog. Keep in mind that some dogs are reluctant to lie down just to follow a piece of food, so be very patient with this exercise. It may take several sessions.
Also note that some dogs lie down more easily if they are sitting first, while others lie down more easily if they are standing first. If you need to make your dog sit to practice this exercise, do so by guiding him as you do in sit training. Do not use the command to sit your dog. When you have gotten your dog to lie down on signal (no food in hand) 8 out of 10 repetitions in two consecutive sessions, move on to the next training criterion.
"Lie down" to compete
If you want your dog to learn to lie down from an upright position, as is required in some dog sports, you have to include that criterion as soon as you have got your dog to lie down. To do this, you will only reinforce behaviors that are close to the behavior you want.
Keep in mind, however, that this cannot be required of a small puppy or of dogs whose morphology makes it difficult for them to lie down straight. Nor can you require it from dogs that have back, elbow, knee or hip problems. Training your dog to lie upright involves one more criterion, so it will take you longer to achieve the desired behavior.
Criterion 2: Your dog lies down for a second
Make your dog lie down on signal, without food in your hand. When he lies down, count "One" in your head If your dog holds the position until you finish counting, click, take a small piece of food from the bag and give it to your dog. If your dog gets up while you count "Uno", move a couple of steps without clicking or giving him the food (ignore him for a few seconds). Then repeat the procedure.
If necessary use shorter intervals, mentally counting "Un", instead of "Uno", for a few repetitions. Then try increasing the length of time your dog lies down until you count "One" in your head. You can do 2 or 3 repetitions of the previous criterion before starting the sessions of this training criterion.
Criterion 3: Your dog lies down even though you are moving
Do the same procedure as in the first criterion, but jogging or walking on your spot. It also changes position relative to your dog: sometimes to the side, sometimes to the front, sometimes diagonally. At this stage you should also make sure to get your dog to lay down in different locations in the training area.
You can do a couple of repetitions without moving before starting each session of this dog training criterion. You can also hold the food in your hand and go through the entire movement, lowering your hand to the ground for the first 5 reps (approximately) of the first session, to help your dog generalize the behavior.
Criterion 4: Your dog stays down for a second even though you are moving
Do the same procedure as in the second criterion, but jog or walk in place while signalingso that your dog take. You can do 2 or 3 repetitions of criterion 1 before starting each session, so your pet knows that the session is about the lying down exercise.
Move to the next criteria when you achieve an 80% success rate in 2 consecutive sessions.
Criterion 5: Your dog lies down on command
Say "Lie down" and make a signal with your arm for your dog to lie down. When your dog lies down, click, take a piece of food from the fanny pack and give it to him. Do several repetitions until your dog starts to lie down on command, before you signal. From that moment on, gradually reduce the signal you make with your arm, until it is completely eliminated.
If your dog lies down before you give the command, simply say "No" or "Ah" (use either, but always the same word to indicate that he will not receive the piece of food) in a calm tone and move a few steps. Then give the command before your dog lies down.
When your dog has associated the command "Lie down" with the behavior of lying down, repeat criteria 2, 3 and 4 but using the verbal command instead of the signal you made with your arm.
Possible problems when training your dog to lie down
Your dog is easily distracted
If your dog is distracted during the dog training session, he tries to practice somewhere else where there are no distractions. You can also do a quick sequence of handing him 5 pieces of food before starting the session.
Your dog bites your hand
If your dog hurts you when giving him food, give it to him in the palm of your hand or throw it on the ground. But if he hurts you when you guide him with food, you'll have to capture the behavior. In the next topic you will see how to do it.
Your dog doesn't lie down when you lead him with the food
Many dogs are not put down with this procedure because they don't want to put themselves in a position where they are vulnerableOthers don't go away simply because they try other behaviors to get the food. If your dog won't lie down when you lead him with food, consider the following:
- Try starting the workout on another surface. If your dog won't lie down on the ceramic floor, try on the carpet. Then you can generalize the behavior.
- Make sure the food you guide your dog with is palatable to him.
- Move your hand more slowly.
- If you kick your dog out from a sitting position, move your hand forward a little once you've lowered it almost to the ground. This movement forms an imaginary "L", first down and then a little forward.
- If you kick your dog out from a standing position, direct the food towards the middle of your pet's front legs, and slightly behind.
- Try alternatives to teach your dog to lie down.
Precautions when training your dog to lie down on command
When teaching your dog this exercise, you should make sure he is not on an uncomfortable surface Very hot or very cold surfaces can prevent the dog from lying down, so check that the temperature of the floor is not too high (all you need to do is touch it with the back of your hand to check the temperature).
Apart from teaching your dog to lie down, you can also teach your dog to look for truffles, or prepare him for the arrival of a baby.
