How Do You..?

Question

Teach a dog to roll over?

My black lab's about 10 years old but you would never know by seeing him, he looks and acts like a puppy still. But has Never learnt to roll over! He knows, sit, stay, lay down, give paw, speak, up/jump but has never managed to get roll over. I've tried with treats and he just looks at it and doesnt actually move for it. I've also tried gently rolling him over when he was laying on his back but he just stands up.

Does anyone have any ideas how to teach him this? Also play dead, does anyone know how to teach this too?

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a wonderful dog. The easiest way to teach these behaviors is with capturing. Capturing is rewarding your dog for doing something that is dose naturally (like shaking when wet) and then putting it on command.

All dogs lay down... most when they nap will lay down on their side.... when that happen reward your dog... I am a clicker trainer so I would click and treat my dog. If you have a dog that has been trained that way it is very easy as the dog hears the click and will repeat the behavior to get the click and treat again.... when the dog is offering the behavior that you want (like play dead) you start to ask for it....

As for rolling over..... If you taught your dog to play dead first you already have the first step of rolling over. Dose your dog roll onto his back for a belly scratch? if so that is the second step. The third is just that natural progression of being on his back..... he has now rolled over.... the hardest part of this is getting all 3 steps together.

Try not to push your dog... this triggers the opposition reflex. This reflex causes your dog to push back on anything that is pushing him.... that would be why when you pushed him over he just stood up.

Answer 2

We taught ours this way..... make him lay down and show him a treat thats in your hand. Take the treat and put it near his face to one side then drag it behind his head all the way around to the other side of his face. He will want to follow the treat. The trick is to keep him from standing up to follow it. Say no when he gets up and make him get back down. It was the harder trick we taught our dogs but this way really worked so just be patient. Some dogs do it better than others. Our lab does it but flails as he goes over so it looks like a spasm. Our other dog will roll over and over and over until you give her the treat.

Answer 3

Do you use hand signals with your dog?

Basically, get him to lay down, then with a loose fist, make an arc or circle motion. And if that doesn't work, get someone to help you show him. I know that sounds stupid, but it has worked. Get a human to assume the lay down position, then do the hand signal. The human will roll over, and you give the human a treat. The dog, wanting a treat of his own, will soon figure it out.

Answer 4

does he know the down command? if not start with that, then place the treat down low. then make a circle and you may have to roll him with your other hand as you do this.. ALL THE WHILE SAY ROLL OVER, ROLL OVER
Even if you are the one makeing him do the roll when he comes back up get happy say Oh what a good boy and keep doing this, make a game of it
I use pop corn it is a cheep treat. keep at it do it with no distractions around till he gets the hang of it
Our dogs, Smiles, Winks, rolls over, high five's, sits up and shakes on command. remember dont yell make learning fun like for a child...............................

Answer 5

Does he roll over at anytime at all? When he is getting up, or moving positions etc? When he does, tell him ' Good boy Roll Over ' and give him a treat. He'll catch on to what you mean.

Answer 6

some dogs dont like to roll over. i taught my old dog to jst lay on his side. but that was it.

what you can do is teach your dog to lay on his side and then work from there. one week, try to teach him to lay on one side. and then the following week roll him on his back. and then the following week lay on the other side. give lots of treats and he'll do it for you.

Answer 7

I'm not sure...and I would like to teach my dog those tricks..So I will keep an eye on this question...Lol. GL tho!