How To Teach A Puppy To Lay Down

The canine age group that picks things up the fastest is puppies. Don’t be fooled by the puppy’s huge paws or that oh-so-sweet new baby fragrance; the puppy’s intellect is sharp.

What’s the best place to start when trying to learn something new with that big, old brain in that little puppy? The basics, of course.

For inexperienced puppy parents, getting their pup to sit firmly on the floor with their butt down is usually not too difficult. The following step is to lie down.

Although a little more challenging, this approach is described in detail below. You only need a clicker and a tasty treat to get started.

Teach the puppy to sit while standing up as the first step.

1. Hold the treat directly in front of your dog’s muzzle. So that they can even lick it a little, hold on firmly to prevent them from slipping it out of your fingers.
   2. After that, slowly lift the treat so that their muzzle will continue to be drawn to it. As their nose elevates, their butt will inevitably lower to the ground.
   3. Release the treat and use a clicker or the word “Yes!” to mark the spot on the ground where the butt landed.

Did your puppy stand on its hind legs to receive the treat rather than sticking its butt out? Lower your pleasure and apply a tiny bit of pressure to urge them to go towards the floor with their hind end rather than standing up.

Second, teach the puppy how to lie down after sitting.

1. Take another treat and place it at your dog’s muzzle in the exact location, allowing them to lick it if they wish.
   2. Allow their muzzle to follow as you slowly lower your hand to the ground. As you come to a stop an inch or so off the floor, hold your hand or treat firmly in place. Most of the time, your dog will lower their body to the ground to figure out how to get that treat.
   3. After they have dozed off, release the treat and signal with “Yes!” or a clicker.

If your puppy can’t figure it out independently, they are probably just unsure what you want. Puppies prefer to lay down differently; some are flat like pancakes, while others curve like a question mark. Try both of these ideas to see which works best because you might not yet be familiar with your dog’s tendencies.

Finding out how to do a flat lay

1. To make your dog’s muzzle stick to the treat like a magnet, slowly lower it to the ground.
   2. When you reach the floor, slowly pull the treat in the opposite direction, back towards you, ensuring that its muzzle stays in contact with it at all times.
   3. When they become flat, mark them with a “Yes!” or a clicker and offer a reward.

Work on the side lay.

1. To make your dog’s muzzle stick to the treat like a magnet, slowly lower it to the ground.
   2. When you get to the ground, softly and slowly push your hand towards the direction of your dog’s body. They should roll onto their side and curve their spine to follow the treat.
   3. When they are entirely on the ground, mark them with a “Yes!” or a clicker and reward them.

How to get a puppy used to standing up after sitting down

1. Grab a treat and hold it close to your dog’s muzzle.
   2. Slowly pull it back in your hand while keeping your hand steady off the floor (don’t lift it to the sky).
   3. Your pup must stand up to follow the treat. Say “Yes!” or mark it with a clicker when they succeed. Reward them.

Fifth step: show the puppy how to teach pushups.

Combine the push-individual-up components into one movement once your pup has mastered each one.

1. Lift your dog’s muzzle slowly while offering a treat so it can sit. Then, without releasing it, immediately lower your pleasure to the ground. If they are down, don’t release the joy! If you pull it back toward you, your pup will stand to follow it. Once they stand up, mark them with a “Yes!” or a clicker and reward them. Repeat no less than five times.
2. Try the same exercise without a treat in your hand this time. With the same stance for your bare fingers, lift to a sit, lower to a down, and then pull back to a stand. After marking with a “Yes!” or a clicker, grab a treat to keep your pup as a reward. Repeat no less than five times.
   3. Once they can do the pushup without waiting for the treat, you can label each move. As you command “Sit,” lift your hand. When your dog sits, say “Down” and place your hand on the ground. When your dog lays down, say “Stand,” and pull your hand back. When they are standing once more, signal with a “Yes!” or a clicker, then give your dog a treat.