How To Train A Dog To Play Dead

Introduction

If your dog has mastered the basic commands of "sit", "lie down", and "stay", it might be time to teach some of the more interesting tricks such as play dead and roll over. Actually learning to play dead is the first step in learning to roll over so you should start with this step. After your dog has mastered the "lay down" command, learning to play dead is not too difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

Step 1: Lie down. The first step to getting your dog to play dead is teaching your dog to lie down and stay down without treats. You might think your dog has mastered "lay down" because every time you are holding his favorite doggie treat and tell him to "lie down" he does. You should eliminate the treat from his act before declaring the dog ready to move onto playing dead. Once your dog lays down at your verbal command, with or without a treat, he is ready to learn a new trick.

Step 2: On the side. Take a treat and let your dog know that you have it. Have the dog sit and then lay down. Now, while the dog is laying down do the following three things simultaneously: Push the dog to one side with your hand; lead the dog's head to that side with the treat, and say, "play dead". As soon as your dog is lying on her side, say "good dog" and give her the treat. You need to go through these steps several times and in several different sessions until the dog has it down pat. Once your dog is able to "play dead" at your voice command, without your having to push her or guide her with a treat, you are ready for step three.

Step 3: Really dead. A really cute addition to the standard "play dead" routine is to add a "really dead" step. Once your dog is able to follow your directions and lay on his side when you tell him to play dead, up the ante. Now, take a treat in your hand, get your dog to "play dead" and then use the treat to guide him while you roll him onto his back with your hands. Use the command "really dead" or "for real" while you place him on his back. With some dogs, this leads to a very comical pose because dogs will tend to splay their legs out when lying on their backs. I taught my yellow labs this trick and I use the command "bang bang" to get them on their sides and then "you're dead" to get them to roll on their backs. They love the trick and will lie still on their sides waiting for what I say next. Most of the time I say "you're dead" but every once in a while I will yell out something else. No matter what else I yell out, they will jump up, wagging and wanting to play. Usually what I say is "He missed you!" or "I was shooting blanks". The trick is a nice illusion and makes the dogs seem much smarter than they really are.

Tips and Warnings: Some dogs will take exception to you trying to flip them on their backs. If your dog has dominance issues, it may refuse to lie on its back. Try play wrestling with your dog and practice holding it on its back to get it used to the game. If your dog really resists lying on its back, you might want to stop with it lying on its side. Teaching your dog tricks should be fun for both you and your dog.

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