How To Train A Dog To Go To Sleep
This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!
A trick that, carried out well, will give the impression that your dog is fast asleep when in fact he will just be laying perfectly still waiting for his release from the position.
- For this trick you will need to reinforce your dog’s behavior when he is lying down, you can either ask him to lie down if he already knows the command or you can wait until he offers the position in order to obtain a withheld reward.
- When he is lying down you can introduce the reinforcement and reward by acknowledging the position and giving him the treat. If you reward for complete stillness and build up the time gradually your dog will lie down and stay completely still waiting for his treat as soon as you reinforce the position.
- Introduce the command, sound asleep and then gently bring the command forward until your dog knows what the statement means.
Top tip; the amount of time that your dog lies still can be as long as you want it to be, providing you build it gradually.
Dog trainers love this trick because it enables the control within the home and encourages the dog to settle, this trick can be varied when teaching your dog to settle in his bed.
