How to Train Your Dog to Go Lay Down

Are you tired of yelling at your dog to "go lay down!" with no result other than his looking at you trying to figure out what you want him to do? Training your dog to lay down on command is one of the most important basic commands you can teach him. Not only will this help bring him under control and keep him there when needed, it is also the first command used in teaching tricks like "roll over" and "play dead."

Knowing how to lay down on command may even help to save your dog from serious injury or death. Picture this: you are at the local dog park and a fight breaks out. Your pup is headed to join in the fray but at a simple command he returns to you and, after being told to lay down, he drops and stays in place. Many of the other dogs come out of it with scratches, bites, and assorted other injuries, meanwhile your pup is happily lying by your feet. 

The command is simple "lay down", in which your dog is supposed to drop to the ground at your feet and not move unless you give him a release command. It can also be coupled with "go" to create the ever-popular command "go lay down" in which your intent is for your pup to go to his "safe" spot and lay down. In essence, you are teaching your dog a dual-command, or one that tells him in a single command to do two or three things.

In the first case, you would be using the "lay down" command to tell your dog to lay down at your feet and to remain there until he is released. In the second case, what you are adding to the series of actions is the 'go somewhere' command. Sounds confusing when you put it in writing, but the good thing is that you will be training your dog to do all of this using a simple 2 or 3-word command. You can teach this command to any dog no matter their age as long as you have the patience. 

Training your dog to obey the 'go lay down' command doesn't take much in the way of supplies.  You will need:

• Treats: To use as rewards.
  
• A special spot: Pick a spot for your pup to "go lay down" on each time you give the command.
  
• Patience: Training a dog any new command or trick requires plenty of patience
  
• Time: This training requires you to work with your pup for at least 15 minutes at a time several times a day
  

That's really about all you should need, other than his leash, depending on the training method you choose.