Teaching Your Dog to Lay Down and Settle
- May 23, 2024
- 3 min read
🐶 Teaching Your Dog to Lay Down and Settle: A Step-by-Step Guide 🐾
Training your dog to lay down and settle is essential for good manners and a relaxed home environment. Whether you have a lively puppy or an excitable adult dog, teaching these commands will help them calm down when needed. Here’s how to do it! 🏡✨
1️⃣ Teaching ‘Lay Down’
The ‘lay down’ command is one of the most useful cues for dogs. It helps with impulse control and sets the foundation for other training exercises.
Step-by-Step Training:
Start with a Sit: Have your dog sit in front of you.
Lure to the Ground: Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly move it down between their front paws. As they follow it, they should naturally lower themselves into a lying position.
Reward Immediately: The moment they lay down, praise them and give the treat. 🦴🎉
Add the Cue: Once they’re consistently following the treat, say “Down” just before they reach the ground.
Repeat and Practise: Keep sessions short and fun!
Common Issues & Solutions:
❌ Dog won’t follow the treat? Use a high-value treat like chicken or cheese. 🍗🧀
❌ Dog pops back up immediately? Reward only when they stay down for a second or two, then gradually increase the time.
❌ Dog refuses to lay down? Try practising on a softer surface like a rug or carpet—they may not like lying on cold or hard floors. 🛏️
2️⃣ Teaching ‘Settle’
Once your dog knows ‘lay down,’ the next step is teaching them to relax and settle in that position. This is especially useful in busy environments or when guests visit.
Step-by-Step Training:
Get Them to Lay Down: Use the ‘down’ command.
Introduce a Relaxation Cue: Say “Settle” in a calm voice and reward when they stay down without excitement.
Extend the Time: Gradually increase how long they stay down before giving a treat.
Use a Mat or Bed: Teach them to settle in a specific spot by guiding them onto a comfy mat or dog bed. 🏡🐾
Add Distractions Slowly: Start in a quiet space, then introduce mild distractions to strengthen the behaviour.
Common Issues & Solutions:
❌ Dog gets up too quickly? Start with short durations and reward frequently, then increase time gradually.
❌ Dog is too restless? Give them a calming chew or enrichment toy to help them relax. 🦴🐕
❌ Dog won’t settle in new places? Practise in different environments and reward calm behaviour consistently. But first, make sure they can settle in familiar, quiet environments.
Final Tips for Success 🏆
✅ Keep training sessions short and positive—5-10 minutes per session works best.
✅ Use calm energy when teaching ‘settle’; avoid over-exciting your dog.
✅ Be patient! Some dogs take longer to grasp the concept than others.
✅ Practise regularly in familiar environments, where your dog is comfortable.
✅ Practise regularly in different settings so your dog learns to relax anywhere.
By teaching ‘lay down’ and ‘settle,’ you’re giving your dog valuable skills that will make life easier for both of you. If you need extra help, TLC Dog Training Academy is here to support you! 🐶📚 Happy training! 🐾🎉
Further Reading:
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