How to Train Your Dog to Lie Down

In this guide

Down is one of the most useful everyday cues you can teach, since a dog lying down is a calm dog. It is also the foundation for longer stays, settling during meals, and behaving politely when guests arrive, which matters in homes that see a steady stream of visitors, deliveries and family drop-ins.

Luring from a sit

Start with your dog in a sit. Hold a treat right at their nose and lower it slowly straight down to the floor, then slide it slightly forward along the ground. Most dogs will follow the treat down with their nose and their front end will collapse into a down as they chase it. The instant their elbows touch the floor, mark and reward. If your dog's rear end pops up instead of their front end going down, you moved the treat forward too soon.

If your dog won't budge

Some dogs, especially those with a bit of extra weight or older joints, resist lying down on cold marble or tile, which is common flooring in Indian homes. Try luring on a mat, a folded towel or a rug instead. You can also try sitting on the floor yourself and luring your dog towards you and slightly under a low table or your bent legs, which naturally encourages them to duck down.

Adding the word

Once the movement is smooth and predictable, start saying "down" just before you begin the lure. After a couple of weeks of pairing, try saying the word with an empty hand, using the same hand motion but no treat inside. Reward from your pocket once your dog lies down. Gradually fade the hand motion until the word alone works.

Practising in daily life

• Ask for a down before placing the food bowl on the ground, which builds patience around food.
• Ask for a down when guests arrive at the door instead of allowing jumping up.
• Practise a long, relaxed down during evening downtime with the television on, rewarding calm settling every so often.

A word of caution

Avoid physically pushing your dog's shoulders or back down into position. This can create discomfort or even fear around the cue, and dogs with hip or spinal sensitivity can be hurt by it. Luring and rewarding is slower but far more reliable in the long run.

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.