![\"grayhound](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/chris-arthur-collins-qGkVJ7Tx36s-unsplash-1024x680.jpg\")
How to teach your puppy to lie down in 7 easy steps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are a few different ways to teach a puppy to lie down, but we\u2019ll tell you about the most common one below – it can be used for most puppies. We go into more detail in our Zigzag puppy training app…there\u2019s probably a few more tips you\u2019ll find useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Start this exercise from a Sit – it will be easier for your puppy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hold the treat in your hand with your palm facing up, as if you are throwing a ball underarm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pop the treat on your puppy\u2019s nose and take it under their chin towards their chest – almost arching in as you go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Slowly take your hand down to the floor. You should end up with the treat between your puppy\u2019s paws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your puppy will follow your hand to the floor with their nose, and their front legs will fold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Once you see your puppy\u2019s elbows down on the floor and they are lying down, you can give your marker word \u2018good\u2019 and give them the treat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Repeat this 5 times, and then take a break.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Come back later in the day for another set of 5 to make sure it sticks. After a good night\u2019s sleep, let\u2019s try it again when training on the next day. Let\u2019s move on to a hand signal this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Repeat the steps above, only doing two rounds. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, time for a trick. Pretend to put the treat in your hand as you did before, but don\u2019t actually keep it there. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Take your hand to the floor exactly as you did before. Did your puppy follow it and lie down as they did before? Hurray! Say \u2018good\u2019 , and then give them a well-deserved treat. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go through it 5 times, then take a break, and come back to it later in the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When you come back later, see if your puppy can manage to do this only on a hand signal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/andrew-pons-oH9AuO20kbk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Andrew Pons<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nExtra tips for how to teach your puppy to lie down <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Take care of your hand position! Make sure it\u2019s palm up with the treat under your fingers so your puppy\u2019s nose goes over the top of your hand rather than trying to sniff underneath it and getting into weird contorted positions!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- If your puppy\u2019s body starts looking a bit \u2018frog-like\u2019 (where their paws end up between their back legs) start with your puppy being in a stand position instead. We\u2019re basically going for the sphinx look.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Down isn\u2019t the easiest for many puppies, so being patient will be a great idea for both of you. If it\u2019s not working out, there\u2019s no trouble in taking a break and coming back to it later. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Do your treats not do the trick? Something different could work. Our article on healthy treats<\/a> can give you fresh ideas.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Puppy doesn\u2019t sit? We have an app for that! And <\/em>an article on how to teach your puppy to sit. The Zigzag puppy training app also takes you through it step-by-step which you can download here. Gosh, we do have it all. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Remember the three Ps:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Practice<\/strong>: Short and often training sessions work best for puppies. Long training sessions are just tiring and boring, let\u2019s just tell it how it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPatience<\/strong>: It\u2019s a new task in a weird language with new people! Your puppy might not get it straight away – understandable. If they\u2019re struggling, take a break!<\/p>\n\n\n\nPersistence<\/strong>:…is key. Your puppy will get there – especially if you keep the other two Ps in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat to do when your puppy can\u2019t lie down<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn my many years of working with dogs, I\u2019ve met very few dogs who cannot lie down. They have to eventually…otherwise how would they sleep? Even so, each puppy is different, and there may some challenges that can be in the way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some examples I\u2019ve come across: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sighthounds and puppies with long legs and deep chested breeds can find sitting uncomfortable, so teaching the down exercise from a stand may be better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cold, hard, slippery floors – nope. Use something soft and non-slip for them to practice on until they get the hang of the exercise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Puppies with short legs or toy breeds can get their head on the floor without lying down – but don\u2019t let them get away with not lying down! Practice from a stand and look for that sphinx-like fold. A pro-tip for reluctant small dogs is to practice on a sofa. Take the treat down over the edge so they have to lie down to reach the treat!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep your eyes open! If you see your puppy lie down voluntarily use your marker word \u2018good\u2019 and then grab them a treat. Keeping treats in your pocket might be handy for this one – once your puppy associate’s lying down with being rewarded they will start offering it to you more. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If your puppy is really<\/em> struggling to lie down, it\u2019s always a good idea to have them checked over by a vet to rule out any joint or health problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"boxer](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/amber-turner-IEn8f-eFwc8-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Amber Turner<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Well, there you have it. Now you know how to teach your puppy to lie down, and we wish you the best of luck. Our Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> might be an excellent companion for you; with customized lessons set out week by week to support you in raising a clever and well-adjusted puppy. We also have a fabulous team of Zigzag puppy training experts and behaviorists who will be glad to personally help you through any struggles you have with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll love it. Just saying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for more puppy advice and training tips<\/a>? Read our guide on clicker training for puppies<\/a>, next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Come back later in the day for another set of 5 to make sure it sticks. After a good night\u2019s sleep, let\u2019s try it again when training on the next day. Let\u2019s move on to a hand signal this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Repeat the steps above, only doing two rounds. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, time for a trick. Pretend to put the treat in your hand as you did before, but don\u2019t actually keep it there. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Take your hand to the floor exactly as you did before. Did your puppy follow it and lie down as they did before? Hurray! Say \u2018good\u2019 , and then give them a well-deserved treat. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go through it 5 times, then take a break, and come back to it later in the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When you come back later, see if your puppy can manage to do this only on a hand signal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Photo by Andrew Pons<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Extra tips for how to teach your puppy to lie down <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Take care of your hand position! Make sure it\u2019s palm up with the treat under your fingers so your puppy\u2019s nose goes over the top of your hand rather than trying to sniff underneath it and getting into weird contorted positions!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- If your puppy\u2019s body starts looking a bit \u2018frog-like\u2019 (where their paws end up between their back legs) start with your puppy being in a stand position instead. We\u2019re basically going for the sphinx look.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Down isn\u2019t the easiest for many puppies, so being patient will be a great idea for both of you. If it\u2019s not working out, there\u2019s no trouble in taking a break and coming back to it later. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Do your treats not do the trick? Something different could work. Our article on healthy treats<\/a> can give you fresh ideas.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Puppy doesn\u2019t sit? We have an app for that! And <\/em>an article on how to teach your puppy to sit. The Zigzag puppy training app also takes you through it step-by-step which you can download here. Gosh, we do have it all. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Remember the three Ps:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Practice<\/strong>: Short and often training sessions work best for puppies. Long training sessions are just tiring and boring, let\u2019s just tell it how it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patience<\/strong>: It\u2019s a new task in a weird language with new people! Your puppy might not get it straight away – understandable. If they\u2019re struggling, take a break!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Persistence<\/strong>:…is key. Your puppy will get there – especially if you keep the other two Ps in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to do when your puppy can\u2019t lie down<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In my many years of working with dogs, I\u2019ve met very few dogs who cannot lie down. They have to eventually…otherwise how would they sleep? Even so, each puppy is different, and there may some challenges that can be in the way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some examples I\u2019ve come across: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sighthounds and puppies with long legs and deep chested breeds can find sitting uncomfortable, so teaching the down exercise from a stand may be better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cold, hard, slippery floors – nope. Use something soft and non-slip for them to practice on until they get the hang of the exercise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Puppies with short legs or toy breeds can get their head on the floor without lying down – but don\u2019t let them get away with not lying down! Practice from a stand and look for that sphinx-like fold. A pro-tip for reluctant small dogs is to practice on a sofa. Take the treat down over the edge so they have to lie down to reach the treat!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep your eyes open! If you see your puppy lie down voluntarily use your marker word \u2018good\u2019 and then grab them a treat. Keeping treats in your pocket might be handy for this one – once your puppy associate’s lying down with being rewarded they will start offering it to you more. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If your puppy is really<\/em> struggling to lie down, it\u2019s always a good idea to have them checked over by a vet to rule out any joint or health problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Photo by Amber Turner<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n In summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Well, there you have it. Now you know how to teach your puppy to lie down, and we wish you the best of luck. Our Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> might be an excellent companion for you; with customized lessons set out week by week to support you in raising a clever and well-adjusted puppy. We also have a fabulous team of Zigzag puppy training experts and behaviorists who will be glad to personally help you through any struggles you have with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll love it. Just saying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for more puppy advice and training tips<\/a>? Read our guide on clicker training for puppies<\/a>, next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- Puppy doesn\u2019t sit? We have an app for that! And <\/em>an article on how to teach your puppy to sit. The Zigzag puppy training app also takes you through it step-by-step which you can download here. Gosh, we do have it all. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Do your treats not do the trick? Something different could work. Our article on healthy treats<\/a> can give you fresh ideas.
- Down isn\u2019t the easiest for many puppies, so being patient will be a great idea for both of you. If it\u2019s not working out, there\u2019s no trouble in taking a break and coming back to it later. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- If your puppy\u2019s body starts looking a bit \u2018frog-like\u2019 (where their paws end up between their back legs) start with your puppy being in a stand position instead. We\u2019re basically going for the sphinx look.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Take care of your hand position! Make sure it\u2019s palm up with the treat under your fingers so your puppy\u2019s nose goes over the top of your hand rather than trying to sniff underneath it and getting into weird contorted positions!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n