How to teach a dog the command to "lie"?

Raising a dog is of great importance. A careful owner should approach this issue with maximum responsibility. The Lying command is considered one of the basic ones, and most breeds learn it quite quickly. The right approach to the pet will provide the desired result.

Quite a difficult skill for a young and active pet. In fact, the “Lie” command means that the dog must stop any movement and calm down. Learning plays a key role in dog development. The real benefit of the skill can be determined by the following situations:

• a pet who is accustomed to long-term lying on the command of the owner behaves excellently in public transport;
• in any emergency or emergency, the life and health of the dog and the owners may depend on the strict execution of the commands;
• the male will calm down more easily in the presence of a bitch with estrus if she knows how to carry out the command;
• speaking at an exhibition or competition includes a demonstration of teams, and if you plan to receive rewards, obedience is key.

Then the Lying command will help to calm down the animal during a fight or hunt. In any situation where the dog should stop activity, this skill is appropriate. The dog must fulfill the command in all life situations, even during games and eating.

Learning is especially effective in early childhood. Basic training should be done already in 2-3 months. Animals in adulthood are much worse trained. The “Lie” team should reach the ideal by 4 months. The exact time for learning a skill depends on the breed and the nature of the particular dog.

You need to train your dog consistently. It is important to determine the exact method that is suitable for a particular pet. Teaching the team to "Lie" will be easier if you follow certain rules.

• To get started, choose the most peaceful place. It is better to teach the animal on the street, but not at home. Select a site with clean land, no dirt.
• During training, you need to become an authority for the dog, not a tyrant. Do not use brute force, exclude cruelty.
• Follow the correct execution of the command, do not indulge. Otherwise, retraining over time will be almost impossible.
• The voice command must be spoken before lowering the pet to the ground. Treats are given after the action is completed.
• If the dog arbitrarily gets up, it is necessary to return it to a lying position, and repeat the command.
• Do not immediately try to lay the pet for a long time. Demanding a long exposure at the very beginning is pointless.
• Do not force the dog to demonstrate the skill throughout the walk, everything should be in moderation.
• After the animal is released, it is necessary to use the “Walk” command, but not the “To me” command. The latter belongs to the category of pleasant ones, which will reduce endurance when performing the lying skill.
• It is much easier to train a dog who already knows how to stand or sit.
• Do not pronounce the team in combination with others. Especially in the same sequence. Otherwise, the pet will perform the necessary actions only in conjunction.

Training a dog for teams requires an individual approach. It is easier to train a puppy, however, an adult pet can be trained. Just in the second case, it will take a little more time to achieve the desired result. For training, you need a certain inventory.

1. Collar - It is a kind of attribute of power and allows you to control the actions of the dog.
2. Leash - performs almost the same role as the previous item. It will be needed not only during the training itself, but also on the way to the place and back home.
3. Delicacy - favorite food in the form of pieces of cheese or meat, crackers or dry food. It is important that the dog is hungry, otherwise the treat will not cause proper emotions.
4. Positive attitude - It is of particular importance, because the dog feels the state of the owner. The pet should feel that it is understood and supported.

Depending on the age and characteristics of the dog, there are 4 basic methods to learn the “Lie” command.

The first method is suitable for both puppies and adults. It is simple and pleasant, dogs perceive it positively. The starting position should be upright or sitting. Consider the algorithm of actions.

1. Take a comfortable position near the dog, which is in a calm position.
2. Take a treat in your hand. Can be clenched in a fist or in the palm of your hand to demonstrate to your pet.
3. Lower the treat down to the ground so that the dog reaches for it.
4. Give the command "Lie" and wait until the animal lies down.
5. Give me a treat.
6. Wait about 5 seconds, and say the command "Walk." So you let the dog stand. If the dog rose without permission, then return him to the desired position with a slight compulsion, but do not encourage goodies.

Not all dogs are willing to give orders. Sometimes, due to age or character, the dog simply does not go after a treat. For training such pets, there is a second method that takes this feature into account.

1. Stand next to a calm pet.
2. Show me a treat in your hand, let me sniff it.
3. Lower your hand down and pull the leash slightly towards the ground. Additionally, you can use your hand on the withers to lay the dog. Say the Lying command out loud.
4. Once the pet has laid down, give a treat.
5. Wait a bit and release the dog with the "Walk" command.

The third method of training is similar to the previous one and involves the use of a leash. Designed for animals who know the command "Lie", but carry it out reluctantly. It is also a great method to consolidate a skill. You need to train like this:

• the dog should stand or sit on the left foot of the owner;
• take a leash in your right hand so that it sags;
• with your left foot, step on a leash to pull the animal to the ground, say the command “Lie”;
• praise the dog for the execution, release the other team after some time.

A rather interesting and fun way is to lay the dog by stretching the front paws.

Great for young dogs who want more contact with the owner. Do this:

• the dog should stand or sit quietly in front of the owner;
• go down to the level of the pet and pull it by the front paws, act gently and carefully so as not to cause pain;
• when the dog begins to lower, say the command;
• as soon as the dog has a lying position, give a treat.

Training for the first time should be aimed at practicing the technique itself. Hold the dog in the desired position for about 5 seconds and release the command "Walk". It is important to accustom the animal so that it does not stand up on its own. After the skill is fixed, it is necessary to increase the time and distance. The owner should move away from the dog and keep it lying down for several minutes.

When the pet began to execute the command well, it’s worth adding gestures to the word “Lie down” and “Walk”. In the first case, usually the owner lowers his hand down, and in the second - raises up. Over time, the animal will learn to do action by gesture, without words. Such a skill is very useful and definitely useful.

The wrong approach to training a pet can lead to complete disobedience and misunderstanding. In this case, errors are unforgivable. If the dog begins to perceive the owner with fear or associates the team with pain and discomfort, then it will never fulfill it again. When training, it is important to consider a number of nuances.

• Repeating one command several times harms. The dog must understand the call the first time, compromises are unacceptable. The animal begins to take the owner frivolously if he repeats the same thing 10 times. Moreover, an understanding may develop in the mind of a pet that an action needs to be done only after a certain number of commands.
• Be sure to cancel the command. Choose a word or gesture that will signal the pet that you can get up. If the dog stops acting arbitrarily, then it will bring a lot of trouble over time. Discipline should be maximum.
• Excessive rewards harm learning. Only the correct execution of a command should entail a treat. During training, deprive the dog of privileges to achieve maximum obedience.
• Rudeness and cruelty is a key mistake of inexperienced owners. If the dog does not understand you or does not want to carry out the command, then do not be angry, perhaps the pet needs a special approach.
• It is necessary to monitor the condition of the dog. If the pet is tired, it is better to finish the training. Otherwise, coercion can cause a negative reaction.

To learn how to teach your dog the “Lie” command, see the next video.