Dog training—training your dog to go lie down at a designated place on command

Training your dog to go lie down is useful when you don’t want your dog to bother you when you’re eating or when he is being a pest to visiting guests.

You can have him remain in a position for an extended period of time. This is similar to the “sit” and “stay” dog training trick.

The only differences are that the “go lie down” dog trick tells your dog to remain in the same position for a much longer period and to actually lie down.

Begin with your dog sitting on your left side. With a treat in your right hand, put your left fingers through his collar at the side of his neck. Make sure he sees the dog treat.

Slowly lower the dog treat down in front of his face. Say "down"

at the same time. When your dog lies down, give him the treat and praise him.

Next is to train him to get up on command. With a treat in your right hand, put your left fingers through his collar at the side of his neck. Keep an eye on him. If your dog wants to get up, place him down again by saying “down.”

Show him a dog treat and bring it up slightly above his head. Pull his collar up gently to help him get up if necessary. Say “ok” at the same time.

This makes him understand that “ok” meaning “you can get up now.”

Repeat each of these actions at least 5 times per session each training day for approximately 2 weeks.

After your dog knows “down” and “ok” you can now teach him to lie down at one place all the time. Notice how you use “ok” as a release through out the dog training sessions. It is important not to mix different phrases that mean the same thing. Don’t confuse your dog.

When he gets used to the command, begin to train him with random treats—give him a treat occasionally that is.

To train you dog to stay at one place, find a designated place. Command him to “go lie down” by taking him to that spot. Place him down with a little pressure on his collar if necessary.

Have him stay there for 2 or 3 minutes and then release him with “ok.” Do this many times. Make sure you say “go lie down” while taking him to his favorite spot.

When he learns the place you want him to go lie down, you can extend his lying time. Increase it by a couple of minutes at a time. Repeat this until he can stay there for up to 30 minutes.

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