Teaching a dog to lie down is a very important command, and will always come in hand. Whether you have company come over, or you just need your dog to relax, having the dog lie down is useful.
This is one of the highly debated types of training in the pet owner community. An owner can use the "treat" approach, which concentrates on the dog modeling the behavior and receiving a treat. The other approach, which is my least favorite, is the "forcing and then rewarding" approach. This concentrates on forcing the dog into the position while saying the command, and then rewarding the treat. It does create a better form from the beginning, but it can cause aggression problems later with some dog breeds. In this article, we will be concentrating on the treat approach.
Here is the simple five step training process for teaching a dog to lie down:
1. Give your dog the "sit" command - at this point I do not give my dog a treat, because he already knows how to obey. However, if your dog is still new in the training process, you may want to reward your dog with a treat now and then later.
2. Put the treat between two fingers and put it in front of your dog so he or she clearly sees it. Do not keep it close to your dog face, or else it may snatch at it.
3. Say "lay down" and slam your hand down on the ground in the same moment. Be sure not to slam it down aggressively, but do use enough force. Most dogs will immediately lie down. If your dog does not sit down immediately, bring the treat slowly away from your dog. At this point, you may want to gently place your other hand on your dog's lower back and apply a little pressure - just do not force.
4. Praise your dog and provide the treat.
5. Repeat as necessary.
Remember, forcing your dog down may immediately get the training done. But, it can cause aggressive behavior. Use your judgment as trainer and owner. If your dog seems to not respond to the training, you may have to take a different approach. Research leadership training to reset your status to "alpha dog" and maybe consider going to an obedience school for some more tips. Most dogs, however, should respond well to this training method.
Alexander Fitzgerald, also known as the "Pack Leader," writes on many topics within dog training. With new blog posts everyday, youarethepackleader.com is the place to go. We offer a free eBook on how to be the Alpha Leader that helps people learn how to be more commanding within the home pack. Visit us for more information on Dog Training.
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