Training Your Dog To Lay Down On Command


Training your dog to obey commands is an important part of pet ownership. When your dog is properly trained, it is much easier for you to communicate with him and this enhances your relationship. In addition to making him mind you, it may even help save your pet from harm or danger.

Dogs want your praise, so using positive reinforcement when training your dog or puppy is the best approach. Hitting or yelling rarely works, and besides who wants to hit or yell at their dog anyway?

The "down" or "lay down" command is one of the basic commands and should be one of the first things you teach your dog once he learns to sit on command. It is not hard to train a dog to obey commands and once you have done one command, it gets even easier as the process is basically the same for each. Here's some steps you can use to teach your dog to lay down on command:

1. Get the dog to sit (you should have already trained him in this command)

2. Firmly give the "down" command while gently forcing his legs out in front (this will cause him to lay down).

3. Give your dog praise. Show him you are really happy with your voice and body language.

4. At first the dog will get right back up, but as time goes on you can lengthen the time the dog stays in the down position by waiting to give him praise.

5. Repeat three to five times at each session. Repetition is important but you don't want to do too much at one time. If you really want to drill it in, you can have several sessions spaced out throughout the day.

There's more rewards than meets the eye with training your dog. For one the dog gets used to listening to his name. He also will get used to doing things on your command. All in all, training strengthens your positions ? you as leader and helps the dog feel secure. Spend a couple of minutes each day training your dog. This will help cement your friendship.

Lee Dobbins is a pet owner and writer for train the dog.com where you can learn more about training your dog and which breeds are easier to train.







Related News



Pet Health Care - Washington Post

Pet Health Care
Washington Post, United States -6 hours ago
I make my own birthday the anniversary of my pets' annual health-care visit. It gives me peace of mind to know that everyone is caught up on all of the ...

Social Release: PetSmart(R) Offers Top Costumes, Toys and ... - MarketWatch

Social Release: PetSmart(R) Offers Top Costumes, Toys and ...
MarketWatch -14 hours ago
PetSmart Dog Fashion Expert Rashell Cooper says, "Pets are members of the family, and just like kids, they'll sport the latest trends in costumes this ...

Hyper Dogs Make Bad Pets, Great Life-Savers - CBS 5

Hyper Dogs Make Bad Pets, Great Life-Savers
CBS 5, CA -16 hours ago
"They make terrible pets," said Marin County Fire Capt. Jim Boggeri. East Bay SPCA Shelter Supervisor Lenny Deets adds: "Rambunctious, high-energy escape ...
Unwanted Bay Area Dogs Become Life SaversCBS 5
all 2 news articles

Families must choose between pets and homes - Calgary Herald

Families must choose between pets and homes
Calgary Herald,  Canada -4 hours ago
That family was forced to give Friday up to the shelter because they could not finding housing that allows pets -- an increasingly common scenario in ...
Hard times trigger more pet abandonmentsMLive.com
all 2 news articles

Community's pets receive a blessing - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Community's pets receive a blessing
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL -7 hours ago
CORRESPONDENT PHOTOS / CHRIS MIKULA Pets and their owners gather for the Blessing of the Animals ceremony Sept. 4 at Living Lord Lutheran Church in East ...
Church celebrates blessing of the petsMarco Island Sun Times
Beach church hosts pet blessingMiamiHerald.com
all 3 news articles

Tough Times: No Reason To Abandon Or Neglect Your Pet - Hartford Courant

Tough Times: No Reason To Abandon Or Neglect Your Pet
Hartford Courant, United States -6 hours ago
By WILLIAM HAGEMAN | Chicago Tribune CHICAGO - The trend of pets being shooed out the front door or abandoned in forest preserves has put animal welfare ...
Pet of the Week: BusterTampa Bay's 10
all 2 news articles

Missouri Humane Society rescues pets in Indiana - Jefferson City News Tribune

Missouri Humane Society rescues pets in Indiana
Jefferson City News Tribune, MO -5 hours ago
ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Missouri Humane Society is rescuing a menagerie of animals, this time in Indiana. The Missouri Humane Society said Thursday it has ...
How much is that doggie?St. Joseph News-Press
all 2 news articles

Students Helping Homeless and their Pets - KGET 17

Students Helping Homeless and their Pets
KGET 17, CA -10 hours ago
They also collected items for their pets, including dog treats and flea spray. "The students get to think about someone else other than themselves and they ...
Tracing Tracy TerritoryTracy Press
all 2 news articles

Couple's hearts, home always have room for pets on the mend - Arizona Republic

Couple's hearts, home always have room for pets on the mend
Arizona Republic, AZ -11 hours ago
The pets return to the Humane Society for adoption. Leo, a 3-month-old Shar-Pei stray, is her current foster dog. He was bitten in the eye - the ...


Longer Living, Healthier Pets Boost the $5 Billion Market for Pet ... - MarketWatch

Longer Living, Healthier Pets Boost the $5 Billion Market for Pet...
MarketWatch -22 hours ago
NEW YORK, NY, Oct 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- At the center of robust global animal health product growth, the US market for pet medications is ...
Longer Living, Healthier Pets Boost the $5 Billion Market for Pet...International Business Times
all 15 news articles