Owning a dog is a huge responsibility, but can also be a lot of fun!
There are many tricks you can teach your dog that will not only impress your friends and family, but also enhance the health of your furry friend.
Playing dead is a trick that even the best performers had to learn and now your dog can master it too!
Learning this advanced trick makes your pup an ideal candidate for many other complex types of obedience training.
Your dog will enjoy mental stimulation and satisfaction once he performs this kind of activity with you. And more importantly, this advanced trick is yet another thing that you will be able to share with your furry friend.
By following these 6 steps, you can teach your dog to roll over and “play dead” while effectively allowing him to master an exciting trick that both you and your dog can enjoy.
So here’s how to teach your dog to roll over and “play dead”….
Table of Contents
1. Get Your Dog in a Relaxed Mood
Make sure your dog is in a relaxed state of mind before you get started.
You can achieve this by exercising him or playing with him for a couple of minutes. You may need more time to calm him down if you are dealing with a very young or hyperactive dog.
Once he is calm, take it to a place with minimal distractions to ensure your dog is fully focused.
2. Get Your Dog in the “Down” Position
Use the sit command to get him sitting.
The moment he gets in this position, give him a treat to encourage him to get in the down position. Gradually push on him to get him lying on his side.
3. Use a Treat Lure
Rolling over is an act that happens naturally to many dogs, but your puppy is unlikely to do it unless you teach it to.
Hold his favorite treat near his nose and gently pull it near his side to ensure he rolls over in an attempt to get it. Immediately he does that, give a passionate “yes” to make him realize that he has done well and give him his favorite treat.
Repeat this step until your dog starts rolling over on command.
4. Add a Cue Word
Once your puppy has been able to roll over a number of times, be sure to add a cue word.
Many people decide to use the word “bang” as well as a hand signal cue, positioning the fingers to act like a gun is pointing at the puppy. Many others decide to use the word “dead”. Obviously, you can use any word you prefer.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
Practice the above steps each day for several minutes each session. Spend around ten minutes repeating each step with your pup.
Always remember to reward him with praise and treats each time he rolls over and plays dead on command. That way, your dog will be more willing to obey your commands.
Once your pup is comfortable with this training, try doing it at farther distance.
ALSO READ: 6 Tips to Stop Your Dog from Peeing in the House
6. Repeat without the Treat
When your dog is less reliant on the treat, simply give him the treat on occasion, but still expecting him to follow your commands.
As your dogs gets used to each step without the treat, limit the amount of time you take to move to the next part.
Once your pup has successfully mastered this trick, you and your dog should now show it off to your family and friends.
Admittedly, this training may take some time, so patience is vital.
The good news is that you can make the training easier and stress-free with help from professionals like – the Brain Training for Dogs program. As long as you and your dog hang in there, your best friend shouldn’t have any more problems mastering new tricks.
Brain Training for Dogs is an effective program that will teach your dog while boosting his brain power. Unlike many of the systems available today, Brain Training for Dogs is designed to engage your pooch on an intellectual level.
More importantly, when you and your puppy work together, you will be able to understand their needs and behaviors over time. Plus the bonding experience for both you and your dog will be more than worth it!
It’s time to unlock your pup’s real potential and boost his brain power. Check out Brain Training for Dogs now — you’ll be glad you did!