How To Train Your Dog To Lay Down
Following the ‘sit’ command, ‘lay down’ is a great next step. It’s fairly easy to move your dog from the ‘sit’ position to the laying down position. In order to teach your dog to ‘lay down’ it is best to start by teaching them to ‘sit’ (which you can find directions for here). So how do you move your dog to the ‘lay down’ command?
In sit position bring treat to the floor
While your dog is in the sit position and you are holding the treat directly in front of the, bring the treat down to the floor. Often times your dog will naturally follow the treat to the ground with their head. If your dog attempts to bite the treat or take it- pull your hand back. Repeat the motion again and continue to do so until your dog does not try to take the treat. Some dogs will even naturally lay down next to the treat.
Say ‘lay down’
As you are bringing the treat to the ground say the command “Lay Down”. Say it loudly, clearly, and annunciate the words- but do not shout. You want to be firm, but not intimidating.
Wait for dog to bring their head to the floor
Wait until your dog brings its nose to the floor. If your dog does not naturally lay down, begin to lightly push on its shoulder blades- persuading it to lay down.
Reward with treat
Once your dog fully lays down (whether they do it on their own or with your persuasion), immediately reward them with the treat. Some dogs will naturally get up to eat the treat, others may stay laying down. As soon as your dog is in the lay down position- give them the treat, so they can instantaneously see that that is what you want them to do and they will be rewarded for laying down.
Continue to do this, waiting until your dog remains in the lay down position before rewarding with treat
Continue to bring the treat to the ground, but rather than pressing your dog to lay down- wait until they lay down on their own. Once they have laid down, then release the treat from your hand as the reward. As you hold the treat to the ground continue to say the command ‘Lay Down’, clearly, until they lay down.
Take a break- Return to training
It’s important to take a few breaks throughout the training session. Once your dog begins to get the idea of ‘laying down’, step away for a couple hours and then return to training. Give the same command each time and reward your dog as soon as they lay down. Within a few days your dog should be laying down simply by you saying ‘Lay Down’ or moving the treat to the ground in front of them.
In sit position bring treat to the floor
While your dog is in the sit position and you are holding the treat directly in front of the, bring the treat down to the floor. Often times your dog will naturally follow the treat to the ground with their head. If your dog attempts to bite the treat or take it- pull your hand back. Repeat the motion again and continue to do so until your dog does not try to take the treat. Some dogs will even naturally lay down next to the treat.
Say ‘lay down’
As you are bringing the treat to the ground say the command “Lay Down”. Say it loudly, clearly, and annunciate the words- but do not shout. You want to be firm, but not intimidating.
Wait for dog to bring their head to the floor
Wait until your dog brings its nose to the floor. If your dog does not naturally lay down, begin to lightly push on its shoulder blades- persuading it to lay down.
Reward with treat
Once your dog fully lays down (whether they do it on their own or with your persuasion), immediately reward them with the treat. Some dogs will naturally get up to eat the treat, others may stay laying down. As soon as your dog is in the lay down position- give them the treat, so they can instantaneously see that that is what you want them to do and they will be rewarded for laying down.
Continue to do this, waiting until your dog remains in the lay down position before rewarding with treat
Continue to bring the treat to the ground, but rather than pressing your dog to lay down- wait until they lay down on their own. Once they have laid down, then release the treat from your hand as the reward. As you hold the treat to the ground continue to say the command ‘Lay Down’, clearly, until they lay down.
Take a break- Return to training
It’s important to take a few breaks throughout the training session. Once your dog begins to get the idea of ‘laying down’, step away for a couple hours and then return to training. Give the same command each time and reward your dog as soon as they lay down. Within a few days your dog should be laying down simply by you saying ‘Lay Down’ or moving the treat to the ground in front of them.
