Training your dog is a rewarding experience. It’s about communicating with them and creating a bond that lasts a lifetime. It’s not just about good behavior, though - it’s about building trust. There are lots of different commands out there for your dog to understand, and “lie down” is one of the most fundamental.
This command is not only practical for calming your dog, but it’s also a foundation for more advanced aspects. If you’ve been wondering for a while how to train pup to lie down, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you have an older dog that needs to be refreshed or you are working with a young puppy, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Let’s begin:
Why This Is An Essential Command As An Owner
If you were able to command your dog to lie down, it shows that you can control them in various scenarios throughout the day. From the times you have guests over to vet checkups, you are able to encourage calmness and focus within them. This is vital if you have an anxious or excitable dog. “Lie down” is a key building block for other commands such as “roll over” or “stay”.
Teaching your dog to lie down isn’t just about working on their obedience. It also helps them to learn self-control. You will build a stronger relationship with them throughout this time.
Choosing The Perfect Time And Place
Before you even begin training, you must set your dog up for success. Choose a quiet area that is free from distractions. You may think it’s a good idea to start right after meal times, but it’s actually something that should be avoided as you will not want them to be bursting with energy. This kind of makes a big difference in how quickly they pick up the new behavior. The idea is to be speedy with your teaching and not drag it out for too long.
Perfect The Sit Command
If your dog already knows how to sit when told, it makes this job a lot easier. If they don’t currently understand this command yet, you simply have to start with it. Once your dog is able to sit on command, you can smoothly transition into lying. This kind of flow helps your pup to understand that lying down is simply an extension of something they already know. The idea is to make learning easy for them so that you both have a smooth experience.
Use Treats As A Lure
Equip yourself with a few treats that they love. The most reliable way to achieve your goal is to grab high-value treats. Ask your puppy to sit, then hold a treat in front of them.
You then must slowly move it downward between their front paws and then toward the floor.
This will create a natural movement that makes them follow the treat with their nose. This then leads to them lying down more often than not.
When the elbows touch the ground, say yes or use some kind of clicker. This signals that they have done what you have said, so you can give them their treat. Repeat this motion a few times every day. If you are looking for easy ways to train dog to lay down, this kind of positive reinforcement tends to work perfectly.
Begin To Introduce The Verbal Cue
Once you are at the stage where your dog is consistently following the treat, you can introduce the verbal queue. You must use a clear and concise phrase such as “down” or “lie down”. Don’t overcomplicate things, obviously. See the queue just before you begin moving the treat as this is the most optimal time.
Very quickly, your dog will associate these words with the action that you have taught. It will take a few successful repetitions, but you will be able to give the verbal queue without using the treat as a lure. If your dog does lie down, you can celebrate with lots of rewards and plenty of praise. Remember, this has to be practiced regularly if you want to master how to train pup to lie down without needing to rely on treats every single time.
Common Problems That Can Be Dealt With
It is completely normal if your dog does not pick things up right away. It can be quite frustrating at times, but here are a few things that you should keep in mind:
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If you feel as though your dog is too excited and energetic, you could walk them or play with them before training to calm them down somewhat.
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You may also be providing a treat that is not as valuable as they’d like.
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Be sure to keep sessions short and positive as things can become tedious very quickly for them. Never scold them for not understanding things - and try to end on a positive note!
- Perhaps you could try them before meals when they are slightly hung as this could make them more motivated.
Practicing In Different Locations
Once they begin responding positively at home, you could practice in different environments later on. The backyard or a quiet park are just two examples of locations that could help them to generalize the command.
Phasing Out Treats
As much as treats are wonderful for them, they are only a great tool during the beginning stages. The entire point is that they follow your commands even without treats. Once they begin to understand the command, you should reward them intermittently.
Sooner or later, your dog will lie down just because you said so. They become even more obedient and they start to trust you even more. This doesn’t mean you should fully eliminate rewards, though!
Consistency Makes Things So Much Easier
Teaching them these things is all about repetition and patience. Like with any skill, you should stay positive and practice. Celebrate small wins and keep training fun. Your dog will always want to make you happy, they simply need the right kind of communication to know how to achieve this.