How to Train a Poodle to Roll Over

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How to Train a Poodle to Roll Over

Easy

2-10 Days

Fun

Introduction

Oscar is the cutest dog on the street, not that you're biased or anything! I mean he's a Poodle so he's gorgeous to look at and great to have cuddled on your lap in the evenings. You’ve also had some success teaching your Poodle some basic commands. He can now ‘sit’ and ‘wait’, among other commands. You would like to continue teaching him useful basic tricks. Next on your list is ‘roll over’. It’s fun and relatively straightforward.

There are also other benefits to training your Poodle to roll over. For example, it’s a great way for the two of you to spend quality time together. Also, Poodles can be rather energetic. This type of training is a great way to direct that energy into something productive. Finally, it will increase your control, making it easier to teach other commands too.

Defining Tasks

Thankfully, teaching your Poodle to roll over is a walk in the park. It will be made even easier if you have already taught them ‘down’. You will simply need to guide the dog through the trick the first few times and they will soon get the hang of it. At that point, you just need to use the right motivator to keep them practicing until it becomes second nature.

If your Poodle is a puppy then you can expect to see results in just a few days. This is because your pup should be keen to play and at their most receptive. However, if your Poodle is older and stubborn, then you may need a little while longer. In fact, it could be a week or two before they get the hang of it. Persevere with training and you’ll have a great, fun trick to put a smile on guests' faces.

Getting Started

You’ll need just a few basic items before you start training. Stock up on treats or break your Poodle's favorite food into small chunks. You will also need a toy and a clicker for one of the methods below.

Set aside just 5 to 10 minutes each day for training. Choose a time and place where you will both be free from distractions. Note the more consistently you train, the sooner you will see results.

Once you have all that, just bring enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, then work can begin!

The Food Lure Method

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Step

‘Down’

Take your Poodle into a quiet room, away from anything that may get broken. Then instruct them to 'lie down’. Make sure you give the instruction in a friendly, playful voice. Then kneel in front of the dog.

Step

‘Roll over’

You can then give your ‘roll over’ command. You can use any word or phrase you like. Poodles are capable of learning hundreds of different commands. Just make sure it isn’t being used in conjunction with any other trick.

Step

Guide

As you give the command, hold a treat on one side of the dog's face. Now slowly rotate the treat over their head so they naturally roll over as they try to keep up with it. You can also use your spare hand to gently help them along the first few times.

Step

Reward

As soon as your Poodle does successfully roll over, shower them in verbal praise and give them a treat. Really make sure they feel on top of the world. This will make them eager to play again.

Step

Practice

Now all you need to do is practice. If your Poodle is a puppy, practice just a few time each day as they may not able to focus for too long. Then as they get the hang of it, offer them less support and give the instruction in a range of situations with distractions around.

The Click & Toy Method

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Step

Setting up

Get your Poodle extremely excited by a particular toy. Play games, get animated and leave it in their bed overnight. You want them jumping up and down at the mere sight of it. Once you’re at that stage, take the toy and your dog to a room to focus on training.

Step

‘Down’

Instruct your Poodle to lie ‘down’ in front of you. You can hold out the toy above them to capture their attention. Hold eye contact as you do this, this will help keep their focus.

Step

‘Roll over’

Now you can give your ‘roll over’ instruction. Just make sure it is given in a high-pitched, playful tone. Poodles learn best when they think they are playing a big game. Also make sure you give the instruction just once. You want them to respond first time, every time.

Step

Assist

Once you give the command, rotate the toy slowly around their head. Don’t move too quickly or they may jump up. You can use your spare hand to gently help roll them over too.

Step

Click & reward

As soon as they do roll over, click to let them know they have performed the trick correctly. A clicker is a fantastic way to signal to your Poodle and speed up the learning process. You can use it when you teach them any number of tricks. Once you have clicked, you can then play with the toy for a minute or so as a reward. Now simply practice a few times each day until your dog gets the hang of it.

The Timing Method

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Step

Setting up

If your Poodle is particularly stubborn or uninterested in learning, then timing your training can prove effective. Simply begin training half hour or so before a meal time. This is when they may be most eager to please you.

Step

‘Down’

Kneel in front of the dog and hold up a treat to capture their attention. Then instruct them to lie ‘down’. Give the command in a playful tone.

Step

‘Roll over’

You can use any word or phrase you like, just make sure it is given in an animated voice. Stick to giving it just once too. Otherwise they may feel they can wait for you to pester them before they follow your command.

Step

Rotate

Now simply rotate your lure slowly over the dog's head. Always start from the same side until they get the hang of it. Don’t give up if it takes a few times for them to understand what you want. Your Poodle will soon pick it up.

Step

Reward

Once they have rolled over, give them a reward within a few seconds. Then at the end of training, give them their meal. This means the next day they will be keen to please you in the hope for food again. Continue practicing before meals until your Poodle has the hang of it. You can then practice at other points in the day until they have mastered it.