Teach Your Dog to Lie Down, Lay Down, Dog Training and Obedience Lessons

Obedience Lessons

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Teaching
Lie Down

Watch the videos:
Bonnie learns down
Bailey learns down

Lie Down is one of the most wonderful commands you can teach your dog. It can get him to calm down and relax after playtime. If friends want to pet your dog, they might feel more comfortable when he is lying down. When you want to read or watch TV, your dog can lie next to you.

Here's how to teach your dog to lie down:

• Have your dog sit or stand. Let your dog sniff a treat you are holding, but don't let him have it.

• Lower the treat to the floor, and as you are doing that, your dog should follow it down.

• Be sure to say "lie down" as your dog begins to lower himself.

• Your dog should lower himself all the way to the floor. You should be now holding the treat between his front paws.

• Only give him the treat once he is on the floor. Repeat the words "Lie Down" many times: Say, "Good boy, lie down. Lie down you good boy."

• Practice this several times during the day and over several days.

TIP:

Give your dog the treat while he is lying down, so he knows he's doing it right.

If your dog knows a treat is coming, he may look at you and start to get up. Repeat the command, "Lie Down." Take your treat and lower it again between his paw. Only give it to him while his whole body is on the floor or ground.

When you're ready, say "OK" or tell him he can get up, and say "Good boy (or girl)!"

Sometimes dogs are silly. That's one reason why we love them so much! If your dog is lying down and he rolls over, acting goofy, that's ok. You did not tell him to stay. He only has to stay if you have told him. Right now, all you want is for him to lie down.

Now that your dog knows how to lie down, are you sure he will lie down anywhere? Practice by having him lie down in the bedroom, in the living room, and in the kitchen. Practice in the backyard, and in the front yard. You get the idea. If you are away from home, always have your dog on a leash.

After your dog has learned the command to 'lie down', you can practice it with 'stay'. It's okay to let your dog lie down and stay for 15, 20, or even 30 minutes. Click here to learn how to teach your dog to stay.

It's okay if your dog falls asleep while he's lying down. Once in a while it's helpful when he needs to calm down.

A Fun Game
One way to have fun and practice at the same time is to have your dog lie down while you are walking. Get some treats, put a leash on your dog, and start walking. Suddenly get your dog to lie down, fast, then give a treat. Stand up, do it again. Up, down, up, down - while walking. This isn't easy, but you might give it a try sometime. Remember to stop while the game is still fun.

A Little Piece of Advice
You might want to tell your dog to lie down on his bed. But you could teach him a different command, like "Go to bed." Walk your dog over to his bed, while saying "Go to bed." Then say "Lie down." Always say "Go to bed." and gradually start dropping out the words, "Lie down."

Watch the videos again:

Bonnie learns down

Bailey learns down

Here are some of our favorite training books written for kids: