Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Teaching your dog to lie on command
• Part 2 of 3: Teaching your dog to stay
• Part 3 of 3: Teaching your dog to lie dead
• Tips
• Warnings

It's always fun to teach your dog new tricks. Some tricks, such as teaching your dog to lie dead, take a little more time for your dog to master than other tricks. Luckily, besides your dog, you only need your fingers, a clicker and some small rewards.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Teaching your dog to lie on command

1. Teach your dog the "down" command before teaching him how to lie dead. To lie dead, your dog must be on the floor. Before he can learn this trick, he must be familiar with the command to lie down.
2. Find a quiet place to train your dog. This place should preferably also be quiet so that your dog is not easily distracted.
3. Command your dog to sit. If your dog is new to this command, teach it by holding a treat high in the air. While he looks up at the treat, press on his back until he is seated; say the word "sit" forcefully while doing this.
   • Once he's seated, reward him with the treat by bringing the reward to him instead of allowing him to jump up to the treat. Say firmly "No" when he jumps up.
   • Practice this a few times a day for a few days until he can sit without you having to push his butt. Each training session should last approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
   • Continue to give him a treat every time he sits down, as positive reinforcement.
4. Stand straight in front of your dog when he is sitting. Hold a treat in front of him, but don't let him eat it. Instead, slowly move the treat toward the floor while still holding it in front of his nose.
   • Say the verbal command "lie down" while bringing the treat to the floor so that your dog associates the verbal command with the action of lying down.
   • Your dog should be down by the time you bring the treat to the ground.
   • When he gets up again, keep practicing until he lies down each time you bring the treat to the floor.
   • Reward him with a treat when he lies down without immediately coming back up.
5. Guide your dog to lie down without treats. Hold your empty hand in front of your dog's nose as if you had a treat in it.
   • Use the same hand motion as when you do have a treat to get your dog to lie down.
   • Again, only reward him with a treat when he lies down reliably without immediately coming back up.
6. Keep practicing until your dog has learned how to lie on your command. You will need to practice this command with your dog several times a day for at least a few days.
   • Each practice class should last approximately 10-15 minutes.
   • If you want to further challenge your dog, you can gradually reduce the visible signals until he learns to lie down on your verbal command alone.

Part 2 of 3: Teaching your dog to stay

1. Teach your dog to stay before teaching him how to lie dead. If your dog doesn't know how to stay, teaching him to lie dead will be a challenge. Make sure he is comfortable staying in a certain position before teaching him the trick.
2. Find a comfortable place to train your dog. Places such as his basket or a comfortable mat are very suitable. You can also choose a grassy spot outside.
3. Command your dog to take the position you want him to stay in. Teaching your dog to stay from the "sit" or "stand" position will prepare him for learning to lie dead.
4. Stand directly in front of him for 1-2 seconds. If your dog starts moving forward before that time is up, start over. Once your dog can stay for 1-2 seconds, reward him with a treat.
   • Once you have given him his reward, he may move towards you as he has successfully stayed in place.
5. Extend the period in which you are in front of him. Increase the amount of time in small increments until it can stay in place for at least 10 seconds.
   • 1-2 second increments will help your dog stay longer.
   • Give your dog a treat each time he can stay for a few extra seconds.
6. Include a verbal and a visual cue. When he's in the position you want him to stay in, say the word "stay" and hold your hand up like a stop sign.
   • It will likely take a few days for your dog to associate these signals with staying, so be patient with him.
   • Reward him with a treat when he successfully and consistently follows these signals.
7. Increase the distance between you and your dog. While you could practice telling him to stay when he can't see you, he should be able to keep seeing you when you teach him how to lie dead.
   • You can increase your distance from him and stay in sight, for example to his right or left.

Part 3 of 3: Teaching your dog to lie dead

1. Command your dog to lie down from a sitting or standing position. Your dog may prefer to lie on either side when lying down, so make a mental note of that.
   • Command him to sit or stand, then command him to lie down.
   • When practicing this trick, always have him lie on the floor on the side he is leaning on; he will probably prefer this himself.
2. Guide your dog to lie on his side. Do not use a verbal command for this; use your hands, some treats and a clicker. Be aware that this step probably takes some persuasion, so be patient with your dog as he learns how to follow your guidance to lie on his side.
   • You can get him on his side by pushing him gently with both hands from the lying position. Once he is lying down, reward him with positive reinforcement (such as verbal praise, stomach rubbing, a treat).
   • You can also lure it with food to leave it. To do this, hold a treat in front of him. Then move the treat back towards his shoulders (his left shoulder if he leans to the right or his right shoulder if he leans to the left). As he turns his head to get the treat, he will eventually lie on his side. Use your clicker and other positive reinforcement when he lies on his side so he knows he was doing the right thing.
3. Practice moving your dog from sitting / standing to lying on its side. The better your dog is able to move smoothly from one position to another, the closer he gets to mastering dead lying down.
   • Use your clicker and give him a treat when he switches from sitting / standing to lying down, and again when he switches from lying down to lying on his side.
4. Add a verbal signal to let your dog lie dead. You know when your dog is ready for the verbal command when he automatically lies on his side when he sees you have a treat or when you lure him with food.
   • You can use any verbal command you want. "PANG!" Is a verbal command often used for this trick.
   • Be consistent with your choice of verbal command. You don't want to confuse your dog by using different verbal commands for the same trick.
5. Use the verbal command more often than the bait with food. At this stage of teaching lie to lie dead, your goal is to get your dog to lie dead by responding to your verbal command, rather than being lured by food as well.
   • It may take time for your dog to respond without you luring him with food, so be patient with him.
6. Use a visible sign (hand signal) to leave your dog dead. A common visible sign to use for this trick is the shape of a gun. Your dog will not immediately understand what the visual cue is, so it will be helpful to combine it with the verbal command you have chosen for this trick.
   • There are a number of ways you can simulate a gun: the thumb and forefinger of one hand, the thumb and forefinger and middle fingers of one hand, or the thumb and forefinger of both hands held together. In the latter option, your other fingers should be intertwined.
   • Give your dog the visual cue at the same moment on which you give your verbal command.
   • Alternatively, you can use the visual sign after using the verbal command. If you try this way, use the visual cue before your dog responds to the verbal command. If your dog responds to the verbal cue before you had a chance to use the visual cue, and continues to do so after repeated attempts, you can either stop using the visual cue altogether or use it at the same time as the verbal cue.
   • Practice using both the verbal and visual cues together until your dog shows that he can lie dead if you use both cues together.
7. Only use the visual sign. Ultimately, you want your dog to be dead by responding to just your visual cue. Even after your dog understands what the visual cue is, it will take extra time to respond to it without verbal cues, commands, or food enticing.
   • Gradually use the visual sign alone more often, and less often use the visual sign and verbal command together.
   • Reward him every time he performs the trick with just the visual cue with a treat.
8. Practice the trick in different locations. The fact that your dog has mastered the trick in one location does not mean that he is automatically able to do it in other locations and situations. You will make your dog even better at lying dead by performing the trick in different places or on different people.
   • Other locations are, for example, different rooms in the house, a park, or for a group of people.
9. Be patient with your dog until he gets the hang of it. He can learn this in a few days, or it can take him a few weeks. Whatever his speed, reward him extensively for his progress.

Tips

• Spend 5-15 minutes every day practicing the trick. Learning to lie dead is a very challenging task, so you will need to practice with your dog for at least a few minutes every day until he has learned each step.
• Because this trick requires your dog to move in different postures and respond to signs, you shouldn't take more than 1 step at a time.
• Don't yell at your dog. Not only will this result in your dog getting angry with you, it will also likely be discouraged from trying to learn the trick.
• Make sure this is fun for your dog. If you find him getting distracted, upset, or frustrated, give him a short break or delay learning until the next day.
• The best way to show your dog that he has not done the task properly is to not give him a reward. Don't forget to show him how to do it right if he makes a mistake.

Warnings

• Don't give your dog any treats that are toxic to him, such as dark chocolate. If you are unsure of what rewards to give, visit a pet store and seek advice on safe rewards for your dog.
• Do not teach your dog this trick if he has arthritis or other joint problems. It will be very difficult and painful for him to move from position to position if his joints hurt.