Ready to get right to the 5 steps to teach your dog to lay down? Skip below by clicking here! Teaching your dog to lay down is one of the most useful and calming obedience commands. It helps with impulse control, prepares your dog for more advanced training, and promotes good manners at home and in public. Let’s look at how to do it right.

How to Teach Dog to Lay Down

Why “lay down” matters more than you think

The lay down command is more than just a cute trick. It teaches your dog to settle, reduces jumping or hyperactivity, and creates a default position that encourages calmness. This can be especially helpful when guests visit, at vet offices, or in busy public spaces.

When is the right time to start?

You can begin teaching this command once your dog understands basic cues like “sit” and “stay.” Puppies as young as 8 weeks can start learning the basics in short sessions. For older dogs, training is just as effective with consistency and patience.

How to teach a dog to lay down

1. Start with your dog in a sitting position. Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly move your hand straight down to the floor between their paws.
2. Once their head follows the treat downward, move the treat slightly forward along the ground. This motion should guide them into the down position.
3. As soon as they lie down, say “yes” or use a clicker, and immediately give the treat.
4. Repeat in short sessions, gradually adding the verbal cue “down” right before you lure them into position.
5. Over time, fade out the hand lure and reward only when they respond to the verbal cue.

Dogs that resist learning this command often do so due to poor impulse control, confusion, nervousness, or even subtle signs of defiance or dominance. And until you address these root issues directly, you’ll continue to see problems in other areas.

“Okay, so how do I do that then?”

By developing your dog’s intelligence, that’s how! When they get the mental stimulation they desperately need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems start to disappear fast.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games created by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her amazing results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end bad behavior while also teaching your dog to lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk calmly by your side. It’s simple, and it will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains exactly how her system works here, go take a look!

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Dog sits instead of laying down

This is a common mix-up, especially if your dog is used to being rewarded for sitting. Rework the lure motion to make sure you are drawing them forward and down. You may need to exaggerate the hand motion at first to make it clearer.

Dog gets up too quickly

If your dog lies down but immediately pops back up, delay the reward slightly so they learn that staying in position is part of the task. You can also use a calm voice to say “stay” and feed several small treats while they remain down.

Dog refuses to go down

Stubbornness or confusion can cause this. Try training in a quieter space or changing the surface to something softer like a rug. If the dog still resists, reward for even small movements toward the down position and build slowly from there.

Taking the Behavior Further

Add duration to the down position

Once your dog reliably lays down, ask them to stay in that position longer. Reward them every few seconds at first. Gradually increase the time and give the final reward when you release them.

Use “down” in real life

Apply the command in daily situations. For example, ask your dog to lay down before feeding, opening the door, or greeting visitors. This helps reinforce calm behavior and impulse control.

Transition to distance and distractions

Practice the down command from farther away and in more challenging environments. Begin with just one or two steps back, and work up to calling it from across the room or even outdoors. Always return to easy versions if your dog struggles.

Teaching Dog to Lay Down FAQs

What if my dog already knows “down” for jumping?

If you’ve been using “down” to stop your dog from jumping, consider choosing a different cue like “lie down” or “settle.” This helps avoid confusion during training.

Can I teach this without using treats?

Yes, but you must still provide some form of reward. Praise, toys, or access to something your dog wants can all work. Treats are simply the fastest way to teach something new.

Is this harder for large breeds?

Larger dogs may find the down position less comfortable on certain surfaces, but the learning process is the same. Use soft flooring at first and keep sessions short to build positive associations.

How long should training sessions be?

Keep each session short; 5 to 10 minutes is plenty. End on a win, and always stop before your dog gets frustrated or tired. Multiple short sessions per day are better than one long one.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to lay down is not just about obedience, it’s about building communication and trust. Take it one step at a time, and enjoy the process together.

Be sure to pin this so you’ll be able to refer back to the 5 steps!