Teaching your small dog to lay down is one of the dog training tricks you can try. You can do this without having to use the crate. When your dog is still a pup, he will have no problem walking on all fours, or “stepping up”. As he gets older, he will probably want to take advantage of this behavior and you can teach him how to do it.
The most important thing to remember when you are teaching your dog how to lay down is to be consistent. Your dog needs to know that this is the behavior that he must do in order to earn your approval. If you give in too soon, your dog could end up getting confused and think he is doing something wrong. Be patient and be consistent.
The first thing you need to consider when you are teaching a small dog to lay down is where you will place the dog’s sleeping area. You should have a comfortable bed and also something to make his bed on. You don’t want to go to bed with your dog because it may roll out of bed and get tangled in bedding. A good place to put him is in a reclining position on the floor next to a door or on a bed. Putting him in this position will help him understand that his bed is his place to relax.
The next tip on dog training tricks is to start the dog’s training off by taking him out frequently to see how he reacts to being alone. This will let you know what the correct behavior is. It will also let you know if he needs to be alone more often. Once you see he reacts well in a different situation you can move him to a more isolated spot. If he still won’t lay down after a while, you should tell him to lay down where you would like him to go, but don’t punish him for doing otherwise. You may want to use a leash and take him somewhere else so that he knows exactly where he is supposed to sit.
Another important part of dog training is teaching your dog how to lie down. It is better for him to lie down on a firm, level surface. Try to have some soft surfaces around, such as pillows or mattresses, so that your dog’s feet will not hurt him. Make sure your dog has some toys to play with before you begin, and do not force him if he doesn’t cooperate. Give your dog enough time to get used to the idea. He will learn how to lie down when you are teaching him tricks as long as he is having fun and not bored out of his mind.
One trick you may want to teach your dog is how to ‘sit’. There is no dog trick more basic than this one. A dog who knows how to sit will never get out of his place, even if his master decides to take him out. The trick is to make your dog sit still for about two to three times before moving him to another area. When he obeys this command you should praise him and give him some dog treats.
To successfully teach your dog how to lie down, you will want to practice this at least once every two days. Start by standing next to your dog while he lies down, close your fist into a fist big enough to accommodate his entire body, and say “lying down”. Do not move from that spot until he asks you to. As your dog begins to lie down, move closer to him until you are only chest height away from him.
Then say “down” in a firm voice, as if you were ordering him to sit down. Do not encourage your dog’s lying down, simply guide him towards the place where he can lay down. Praise your dog again, but do not touch him until he has settled down. When he is fully settled, praise him again and give him a dog treat. Continue this routine several times, until you have trained your dog to lie down without being commanded.
