Training Your Dog To Sit Up, Heel & Lie Down

Assuming that your little guy is familiar with the Sit command, he is now ready to move forward to the Lie Down command. This Intermediate Training behavior is simple to implement for most dogs and should be easily integrated into his routine.

The Lie Down command is simply a step away from the Sit command. With your dog in the sitting position, take a treat and move it a bit closer to the ground prior to giving it to him. Continue this process, each time moving the treat closer to the ground before allowing him to take it. As you move the treat farther away from him, he must lie down in order to reach the treat. Now is the time to speak the words, "Lie Down." He may try to get up in order to retrieve his goody but he must remain in the Sit position. Be patient, this may take several tries before he thoroughly understands.

You must communicate to your dog that pulling on his leash is unacceptable. Good manners are a must and lunging and jumping at other people or pets is simply bad behavior. Begin teaching him to walk next to you by making small circles, walking very slowly. Change from walking to the left to walking to the right. Eventually, there will be total slack in the leash. But hey! Once in a while, allow him to smell the roses. Every dog loves to explore and your baby deserves this treat occasionally.

The Sit Up command can be a lot of fun to implement. Your dog must be very familiar with the Sit behavior as you take a piece of food or treat and hold it over his head. He must be able to reach it at this point. Continue this movement, holding the treat higher each time, until he is forced to reach for the food but can still remain seated.

Once consistency is in place, hold the treat even higher. He will be unable to take it unless he raises his front paws from the ground. When he does this, use the verbal cue, "Sit Up" and reward him in this position. Eventually, he will become conditioned to this cue and you can start to fade out the treat and use your hand only, still saying, "Sit Up".

Your dog is going to eventually appreciate learning the Sit Up, Lie Down and Heel commands in the Intermediate Behaviors Training. As you are consistent, patient and loving with your best friend, he will do his utmost to earn your approval and please you.