Why is it important to teach your dog to lie down on command. In a word: control.
A dog that is lying down is not chasing a cat, barking at other dogs, getting under your feet while you're trying to cook dinner, or otherwise being a pain in the neck when you want peace and quiet. Sometimes a dog, like a five-year-old child on a sugar rush, can get so wound up and full of energy they can get themselves into trouble. They need to calm down. A dog that will happily lie down when you ask him to will calm down, and is less likely to get himself (or his owner) into trouble.
This lesson uses methods similar to the ones you used when teaching your dog to sit. But it may take your dog a bit longer to learn to lie down on command than it did to sit on command. Lying down, after all, takes a bit more effort" and being asked to lie down when you're not even tired seems kind of silly, even to a dog. So it may take longer, but don't get impatient or discouraged.
As with other lessons, you need to decide what command you'll use. Remember, consistency is key with verbal commands; one word or phrase, one meaning. If you use "Down" for this lesson, you can't use "Down" to also mean "Get off the couch" or "Stop jumping on Aunt Mavis!" Many trainers use "lie down," but that's a bit too close to "get down." To make it easier on your dog, we recommend a totally different-sounding word: "Rest." We'll use that word in our training lessons.
So let's get on with the lesson.
Teaching Your Dog to Lie Down
Read this lesson first, and then practice it with your dog.
1. Load up your pocket (or a bag or pouch) with treats.
2. Take your dog to an area where there won't be a lot of distractions.
3. Put a treat in your hand and ask your dog to sit.
4. With your dog sitting and you squatting or sitting next to him, hold your hand with the treat about an inch from his nose and slowly move your hand straight down to the ground. Important: move your hand straight down, right below your dog's nose, being very careful not to move it away from him as this will cause him to get up and move toward it. We don't want that. (If that happens, just start over.)
5. Your dog should follow the treat down with his nose, and then lie down completely. You may need to hold the treat on the ground for a few seconds before he lies down. It may also help to tap the ground with your other hand. Be patient.
6. As soon as your dog lies down, immediately give the treat and verbal praise ("Good!")
7. Walk a couple of steps away to a new location.
8. Repeat Steps 3 through 7. Practice this a few times.
9. Did you notice you haven't told your dog to "Rest" yet" Just as you learned with the Sit command, do not give the verbal command until you can get him to lie down consistently by moving your treat-filled hand down to the ground. Once you're sure he's going to do this properly the next time you do that, say "Rest" in a calm, low voice a split second before you start moving your hand. When he lies down, immediately reward your dog with the treat and "Good!" praise.
10. Repeat this process five times, saying "Rest" in a calm, low voice just before he does so and rewarding his correct response.
If your dog doesn't do what you want
If your dog backs up instead of lying down, try having him sit with his back to a corner, so he can't back up.
If your dog doesn't lie down all the way, repeat steps 3 through 7 but add this: place your other hand (the one without the treat) on his back, just behind his shoulders, and gently push him slightly sideways and downward as you move the hand with the treat down to the ground.
If your dog still doesn't want to lie down, try moving him to a rug. (Some dogs simply don't like lying on cold, hard surfaces.)
As with other lessons, make sure your dog is not too distracted...or nervous. He'll be more willing to lie down if he's calm and relaxed. If he's nervous or full of energy, postpone your lesson until he's settled down.
Remember to keep your tone of voice calm and low.
Remember, the instant he lies down, give the treat and praise ("Good!").
If you've ever been taken for a walk by a strong, willful dog, you can't help but gaze in wistful admiration at people whose dogs walks calmly by their sides, even when off a leash.
But there's more to gain from teaching your dog to heel than no longer being dragged down the street. When walking your dog is not a "chore," you'll enjoy it more, you'll do it more, and you and your dog will both benefit from more frequent walks.
Teaching an energetic and always-curious dog to walk slowly by your side and ignore all the fascinating scents and other distractions during your outings will be a major challenge. After all, dogs, unlike people, do not naturally walk side-by-side with their friends and family.
Some dog trainers (amateurs and professionals alike) use various forms of choke collars, brute force, and intimidation to teach dogs to heel. From a dog's point of view, this concept of "heel" must seem more like "hell."
As you know by now, that's not how we operate. Teaching your dog to heel will be easier than you think when you make the lessons an interesting game. But it will take a little time; you may not get to a finished "heel" for a few weeks. That's OK, because the process will be lots of fun for you and your dog.
Follow our training system, and soon you and your dog will be the ones struggling dog walkers gaze at in wistful admiration!
Teaching Your Dog to Heel
Read this lesson first, and then practice it with your dog.
1. Load up your pocket (or a bag or pouch) with treats.
2. Take your dog to a quiet area where it's safe for her to be off a leash.
3. Decide on which side you'll prefer your dog to heel"your left side or your right. It doesn't matter which side you choose, but once you decide, don't change your mind later and confuse your dog. For the purposes of this lesson, we'll use the left side. If you prefer the right side, just substitute "right" whenever we say "left."
4. Put a few treats in your left hand.
5. Show your dog the treats in your hand and then start walking away.
6. Encourage your dog to stay with you as you walk away. Call her name, slap your left leg, make smoochy noises, etc. Pick up the pace of your walking, almost as if you're trying to get away. As you're doing all this, wave the hand with the treats down low on your left side so your dog knows where they are.
7. If your dog follows you, stop after a few strides and give her the treats and lots of praise. It's great if she's stayed right by your side, but don't worry if she lags a bit behind at this point.
8. Wait a couple of minutes, and then repeat Steps 4 through 7. Vary your walking speed and make sudden changes in direction. The point is to make it interesting and fun for your dog to keep up with you.
If your dog doesn't do what you want
If your dog doesn't follow you, go back to her and put the treats right under her nose before walking away and encouraging her to follow.
If she still isn't interested, the treats are not tempting enough or she's too distracted. Find a treat she likes better, wait until she's hungrier, or move to a less-distracting location.
Have fun playing with your dog! Don't focus all your time together on training. Spend lots of quality time just enjoying each other's company.
This website uses cookies that are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the privacy policy. By accepting this OR scrolling this page OR continuing to browse, you agree to our Privacy Policy