Teaching a puppy to lie down can be useful in many situations, from visiting a new home to waiting at the vet's clinic to keep the puppy calm when meeting other dogs. Dogs can be said to be controlled and calm if they can lie down on command, because they don't jump around or run without their master's permission. If you have successfully taught your dog the “lying down” command, please move on to more difficult commands such as “play dead” or “roll over”.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Dog for Training
Step 1. Make sure the dog knows the “sit” command
Before they can learn to "lie down," the dog must first obey the command to sit. After you have taught the dog to sit, please proceed to the “lie down” command.
Step 2. Choose a quiet and open place
Do the training session in a place free of distractions or noise. You have to make sure the dog can focus on the owner during the training session. If the exercises are usually done in the backyard, start practicing there.
- Some small dogs can be fussy about where to lie down (for example, on a cold, hard floor). If possible, choose an area covered in carpet or a smooth surface, such as a dog seat or bed.
- The best training time is right when the puppy starts to get hungry, as the dog will be even more motivated to get a treat in return. Try to schedule a workout time just before dinner.
Step 3. Prepare some of your puppy's favorite treats
You can keep some snacks in your pocket before your training session. Or, stash snacks in a bag strapped to your meth or in the back pocket of your pants.
The place to store treats should not be visible to dogs. Dogs are trained to respond to commands, and not treats. Keep treats in a pocket or small bag out of sight until the dog obeys the command and receives a reward. However, in the early stages of practice, feel free to use snacks as bait
Part 2 of 3: Introducing the “Lie Down” Command
Step 1. Tell the puppy to "sit down"
When the dog is sitting, say "sleep". Make sure the command “lay down” or “sleep” is spoken in a clear and calm voice while maintaining eye contact with the puppy.
Use the command “sleep” or “lie down” to teach the puppy to get down on the floor and not for other commands, such as getting off the couch or stairs. Instead, use the "down" command to keep the puppy from getting confused
Step 2. Hold the snack between your fingers
Let the dog smell and lick the treats, but don't eat them. Continue to hold the treat in front of the dog's nose and lower it towards the floor, between the dog's front paws. The dog's nose will follow the treat and his head will bend down towards the floor.
Step 3. Move the snack to the floor
Keep moving the treat until your hands land on the floor, straight in front of the dog. The dog will continue to follow the treat and head to a lying position. When your dog's elbow touches the floor, say "yes!" and let the dog eat the treat from your finger.
- Do not use your hands to push the dog down towards the floor as this will be seen as aggressive and startle or scare the dog. The dog must obey the command "lie down" on its own.
- Your dog may stand up after eating a treat and shift from a lying position. If the dog doesn't do this, take a step or two back to persuade the dog to move from the lying position. If the dog's back rises when moved to a lying position, do not give treats. Instead, persuade the dog to sit down and try repeating the exercise again until his entire body is lying on the floor. You can try letting your dog sniff or taste treats while moving them to the floor to get the dog down completely.
- Keep in mind that some dogs are not interested in treats used for training sessions so their noses don't follow. Replace them with more tempting treats, such as small pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dog ends.
Step 4. Repeat the “lying down” exercise 15-20 times
Some dogs are able to move on to hand sign practice after one session, while others need several practice sessions.
Try to do at least two short sessions of 5-10 minutes per day
Step 5. Practice the “lying down” hand sign
If your dog is used to lying down with a treat, continue the exercise with hand signals. You'll still use the treat as a reward, but the treat is hidden behind your back so the dog follows your hand signals instead of the treat.
- Starting from telling the dog to "sit down".
- Say "sleep". Make the same movement with your fingers and hands, but don't hold the treat in your fingers.
- Move your hands to the floor and as soon as your dog's elbows touch the floor, say "yes!" and give a snack.
- Take a few steps back to indicate that the dog is allowed to stand.
Step 6. Repeat this set of exercises 15-20 times in 1-2 weeks
We recommend that you exercise for 5-10 minutes per session a day. If the dog lies down immediately after the hand and verbal signals are given, please move on to the next step.
If your dog doesn't follow your bare hands into a reclining position, don't give your dog a treat so he can understand. Be patient and make eye contact with the dog until it lies down
Part 3 of 3: Practicing the “Lie Down” Commandment
Step 1. Reduce hand gestures
Over time, you will tire of having to keep bending over to make the lie down cue. You can try to simplify the signal, but only if your dog is comfortable with the "lay down" command and normal hand signals.
- Repeat commands and hand signals, without a snack in your hand. instead, move your hands toward the floor, up to 2-5 cm above the floor. Continue practicing the command lying down with this new hand signal for 1-2 days.
- If your dog responds to a new hand signal, adjust the movement of the hand so that your hand is 7.5-10 cm above the floor. After practicing again for 2 days, simplify the hand signals again so they are further away from the floor and you don't have to bend over again.
- Over time, you will no longer have to bend over and the command to “lie down” can be said while standing up straight and pointing at the floor.
Step 2. Use this command in various locations and situations
By now, the puppy should have learned the command to lie down, practice this command in a variety of locations and situations. This will teach the dog to follow commands, regardless of distractions.
- Begin practicing this command in familiar places, such as a room in your house, backyard, or front.
- Move to a place where there are more distractions, such as when other family members are together. You can also practice lying down during daily walks and at a friend's house or yard.
- When the dog obeys the command lying down in this situation, add more distraction. Practice the command lying down when someone makes a sound or plays ball near your dog. Also practice the command to lie down when playing with the dog in the park, when someone rings the doorbell, and your dog plays with other dogs.
Step 3. Cut back on snacks while practicing commands
If you don't want to carry a bag full of snacks with you to each workout, feel free to reduce the number of snacks she receives during her training sessions. This exercise can only be done if the dog is comfortable following commands in various locations and situations.
- Start giving treats only when your dog is lying down quickly and enthusiastically. If the dog lays down reluctantly and slowly, praise and scratch his head but don't give him treats. Hold the treat and give it only when the dog is lying down quickly.
- You can also use other rewards besides treats when your dog obeys a command. Ask the dog to lie down before putting on the leash when going for a walk, giving dinner, throwing his asylum toy, and before greeting someone. Thus, the dog will associate the command to lie down with positive things in return for something other than a treat.
