How To Teach Your Dog To Lay Down

The lay down command is very difficult for many dogs to master. The command for a dog to lie down may not seem to be more complicated than the command for a dog to sit. This fact is often very complicated for dog owners because they incorrectly assume a dog that is able to learn how to sit with ease should be able to learn to lie down with the same ease. However, the significant difference is that the down position is not a position which is comfortable for all dogs. In particular dogs that are overly dominant as well as dogs that lack confidence may be very difficult to train to lie down. Dogs that are overly dominant may resist this command because they do not want to appear submissive. This can be a serious problem because the dog should not exert dominance over the owner and refusing to lie down may be seen as insubordination or defiance. Dogs that lack confidence may resist the lay down command because they are fearful of being vulnerable. These dogs may be submissive to the owner but they may not be secure enough to trust that the owner will not allow them to be harmed while they are in the down position and will remain cautious of potential predators while in this position. This article will briefly address these two conditions which may cause a dog to resist the down command and will also provide a training plan for teaching a dog to lie down.

When there are underlying issues such as dominance and a lack of confidence which are preventing a dog from mastering the down command, the owner must often work on these issues before proceeding with the process of training the dog to lay down on command. Dealing with dominance issues is the more serious of the two issues because failure to deal with the issue may set the owner up for a lifetime of being challenged by the dog. There are many different methods for an owner to deal with these types of issues but in most cases, seeking the assistance of a dog trainer with experience in this type of training is recommended. The trainer will be able to offer advice on tone of voice, body positioning and other techniques which can help him to assert dominance over the dog. Other trainers may even recommend techniques such as an Alpha roll where the owner physically rolls the dog onto this back and holds him in this position but there are other trainers who oppose this type of training as it is not naturally. Once the owner addresses this issue, he will likely find the dog is more willing to follow the down command.

Increasing confidence is also necessary in some dogs before trying to teach the down command. As previously mentioned, dogs that lack confidence may resist the down command because of their insecurity. In these situations it is worthwhile to address the confidence issues before trying to teach the dog to lie down because failure to do so may result in the dog never really being comfortable performing the command. Increasing confidence in a dog can be somewhat complicated. A lack of confidence may be a result of genetics, poor socialization or even previous abuse. Again the use of a professional trainer may be necessary as a trainer who specializes in working with shy dogs can provide insight into the most effective training techniques. However, training methods based on rewards, praise, love and respect are the most likely to be successful.

When there are not underlying issues which are making it difficult to teach a dog to lie down, the training process is usually fairly straightforward and simple. Most dog owners and trainers find a method combining the use of a lure and positive reinforcement to be highly successful. A treat or a favorite toy is very useful as a lure. Some trainers recommend putting the dog in a sit position first and then luring the dog into a down position while other trainers prefer to lure the dog into a down position from a standing position. To accomplish this, the treat or toy should be held closely to the dogs and then slowly swept downward and slightly forward to entice the dog to lie down. While luring the dog into the position, the owner should give a command such as, “Down,” or whatever verbal or physical cue the owner prefers for this command. If the dog succeeds in completing the behavior correctly the owner should reward the dog with the treat or toy immediately and should reaffirm the command but saying, “Good down.” When first beginning to teach the down command the training sessions should be kept fairly short. The length of the sessions will depend on the dog and his concentration level. Some dogs may be able to focus and concentrate for twenty minutes while others may only be able to concentrate for five minutes. It is, however, important to always end the training session with a success and to be sure to reward and praise the dog immediately each time the dog offers the desired behavior on command.