How To Teach Your PUPPY or DOG Lie DOWN - Dog Training Video, by Robert Cabral on YouTube. 6 min 44 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 44 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Start in a quiet room with your dog in front of you and a handful of small treats in one hand. Keep sessions short and calm.
Ask your dog to sit and reward the sit. A sitting dog is already halfway to lying down.
Hold a treat right at your dog's nose, then slowly move it straight down to the floor between the front paws.
As the nose follows the treat down, drag the treat slowly forward along the floor. The elbows should bend and the chest drop.
The moment the belly touches the floor, mark it with a word like yes or a click, then give the treat.
If your dog backs up or stands, reset with a sit and try a slower, lower lure. Do not push the shoulders down.
Repeat five to ten times per session, then add the word down just before the lure moves to the floor.
Once your dog lies down reliably, lure with an empty hand and reward from your other hand or a treat pouch.
Fade the hand motion to a small downward gesture, then reward every second or third correct down to keep it strong.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the treat moving slowly and close to the nose so your dog does not jump up for it.
Never push your dog's shoulders or collar down, as this can make the dog resist the position.
Practice in short bursts of a few minutes and end while your dog is still succeeding.
If your dog is slow to lie down, wait a second longer before rewarding to build a faster response.
Questions
How long does it take to teach a dog to lie down?
Most dogs pick up the lured motion in a few short sessions over a week. Reliable response on just the word can take a few weeks of daily practice.
What if my dog will not lie down for a treat?
Try a higher value treat and a quieter room. You can also lure from a sit on a soft rug, or wait for a natural lie down and reward it.
Should I use a clicker for this?
A clicker works well if you already use one, because it marks the exact moment the belly touches the floor. A spoken word like yes works just as well.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
