How to Teach Your Dog to Lie Down
"Down" or "lie down" is a crucial fundamental command for dogs to learn. It is desirable for all dogs to understand how to assume a lying down position when instructed by their owners. The command "down" can be extremely helpful when you want your dog to relax in a chaotic situation or to maintain a stationary position for an extended period. Additionally, it serves as the initial step in various dog tricks, such as the popular rollover. Fortunately, teaching your dog to "lie down" is nearly as straightforward as training them to sit.
When your dog is correctly in the down position, its chest, elbows, and hocks should be in contact with the ground. Ideally, it should remain there until you give the release command. With practice, you can train your dog to perfect the "down" command, as it is relatively easy to teach.
How to Teach Your Dog to Lie Down
Before you start, ensure that you have a sufficient supply of tasty training treats for your dog. Ideally, the treats should be small, soft, and highly appealing to your dog. Reserve these treats exclusively for training sessions and use different treats for general rewards.
Allocate five to ten minutes in a distraction-free environment. If you employ clicker training with your dog, make sure to have your clicker readily accessible.
1. Begin by capturing your dog's attention. Show him that you have a treat in your hand.
2. Hold the treat in front of your dog's nose but refrain from allowing him to take it yet. Slowly lower the treat towards the ground, encouraging your dog to follow it.
3. Repeat this movement until your dog is completely lying down. If your dog doesn't follow the treat down with his body, try gently pulling the treat away.
4. Once your dog is fully lying down (with his elbows and hocks on the ground), reward him with the treat, followed by petting and praise.
5. Once your dog consistently responds to the downward motion with the treat, introduce a verbal cue. Clearly and firmly say the word "down" while moving the treat toward the ground.
6. Repeat this process until your dog lies down solely in response to the verbal cue, without the need for treat guidance. Always reward your dog with a treat after he lies down.
It's advisable to conduct short training sessions once or twice a day. Vary the locations of the sessions, including both indoor and outdoor areas. Always strive to conclude the sessions on a positive note. If necessary, conclude with a different cue that your dog is familiar with (such as "sit"), followed by a treat.
Add the Release
Once your dog has mastered the command to lie down, it's time to introduce a release word. This is the word you will use to give permission for your dog to get up. Many people choose to use the word "OK" as the release cue, but you can use any word you prefer as long as you are consistent.
Begin by starting with short durations of time, where you make your dog lie down for no more than 30 seconds before giving the release command. To reinforce this behavior, you can utilize the "stay" command and then give the release command when you are ready to let the dog go. Gradually increase the duration of time, so that your dog remains in the lying down position until you say "OK," regardless of how long it takes.
Problems and Proofing Behavior
If you are still facing difficulties in getting your dog to lie down using treats, you can try employing a marking technique. When your dog naturally lies down, say the word "down," then offer praise and reward. Repeat this process every time you observe your dog lying down. It will likely be necessary for you to carry treats with you for this method to be effective. Another effective approach is to use a clicker to capture the desired behavior.
Once your dog responds promptly to the "down" cue, gradually introduce distractions. It is also important to train your dog in various locations and scenarios to reinforce the behavior.
Once your dog becomes proficient in lying down, you no longer need to provide a treat every time. However, it is still beneficial to occasionally offer treats to reinforce the behavior. Additionally, rewarding with praise is always a good idea, as your dog enjoys pleasing you, and the treats serve as an extra incentive.
Tips:
If your dog does not lie down on its own after a few attempts, avoid pushing it into the position. This is a common mistake made by owners, but dogs generally do not learn effectively this way.
Avoid yelling at or punishing your dog, as this will only discourage them.
If your dog is not responding well to the usual treats, try using a more enticing option, such as fresh meat.