How Do I Teach My Dog To Lay Down?

Question

My Lab will sit beautifully on command, but when I try to get him to lay down, he just stands up to get the treat on the ground. I tried gently holding his bottom on the ground, but that didn't work either. If I drag the treat on the ground, he just gets up and follows it. If I try to pull his front legs forward into the "down" position, nothing happens. Since he's a Lab, I can't exactly pick him up and lay him on his side either. Help!

Answer 1

First get him to "sit" then here's some tricks you can do to get him to "lay down"

*You commander sit down and lift one of you legs higher then the other, but keep your foot on the ground, put a treat for the dog in your hand and make sure the dog see's the treat and pull it thro your leg and when he goes thro your leg he will go down because he has to crawl thro your leg and while he crawls to get the treat he'll be going "down" also say "down" when he's down.*

*When your dog is "sitting" pull his paws down to the ground and say "down" or "lay down" *

And if your dog won't do the tricks, buy ice cream for dogs, this works great... and sit outside or in your house and make sure the dog knows where the ice cream is (put it behind your back and act like you will sit there with the ice cream melting until he goes down) praise him and give him some ice cream when your done.]
GOOD LUCK, HOPE MY ADVICE WORKS! =)

Answer 2

First of all, don't give your dog treats to obey your commands. Your dog is naturally programmed to obey it's leader. If you have to give treats to gain compliance you are lacking in leadership skills. Many trainers encourage treat giving because it's an easy way to gain compliance with commands and makes them appear knowledgeable. In reality, you are teaching a behavior that will eventually have to be untaught if you are to have a well trained dog.

The down position is a submissive position and if your dog resists a down command, he is telling you that he is not submissive to you. This would indicate that the problem is not doing the "down" command but a more fundamental issue of who's training whom. Your problem is therefore not this one command but how your dog views his relationship to you. I'd suggest you do some reading on how to be the leader of your pack and learn to treat the cause rather than a symptom of a larger issue.

Answer 3

First of all, don't put the treat in a position where he can get it if he does not perform the desired behavior. Otherwise, he's being rewarded for doing it wrong.
Then, take it in baby steps.
From the "sit" position, lower the treat in front of him. As soon as his head gets lower than his shoulders, give him the treat. After three repetitions where he gets it right, then make him go a bit lower. As soon as a paw starts to come forward, reward him again. Do not move on to the next step until he can get it right three times in a row. It shouldn't take long to get him all the way down.

Answer 4

• 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.

• 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.






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 or 20 minutes.

It is okay if he falls asleep! Once in a while it is helpful when he needs to calm down






Only give your dog the treat while he is lying down, not after he gets up. When he gets up, give him a treat or verbal praise ("Good boy!").

Answer 5

Tell Him TO Sit first them pat your hand on the ground and say lay.If he doesnt lay push him down until he gets the hang of it.

Answer 6

first put on his leash then get him to sit then ask for him to lay down say his name then the command only once! at the same time gently but firmly pull the leash down to the ground/floor and he should follow as soon as hes down give the treat. repeat and repeat and repeat! good luck

Answer 7

from a standing position,, put your hand on dogs shoulders and with the other hand have a treat and put the treat between the dogs front legs going towards his back end

Answer 8

make him sit then grab both of the front legs forward with one hand and with the other hand on his back while pushing down lightly ~ ` don't be mean

Answer 9

BY GIVING IT A LOT OF FOOD AND WATER
THATS OVERFEED IT