Teach Your Dog to Roll Over

One of the most popular dog tricks is rolling over. Some people call it rolling over, while others call it playing dead. Regardless of how you describe it, teaching your dog to roll over can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog.

Remember that while enjoyable, teaching your dog to roll over should not be the first command or trick you attempt with your dog. Before teaching a dog to roll over, you need to lay the groundwork with the commands to sit and to lay down. Once your dog fully understands how to sit and lay on command, you can begin training him to roll over. As with all training endeavors, keep sessions short and under five minutes in length. Also remember to stay patient, and if need be, work further on the basics before progressing to more complicated tricks.

Keep in mind that it may not be physically comfortable for all dogs to roll over. Larger dogs in particular may have difficulty completing this maneuver. For your dog’s physical well-being, do not complete the trick more than once or twice at a time. Additionally, dogs with confidence issues may have trouble exposing their stomach. For these dogs, work first on gaining their trust, and getting them accustomed to stomach rubs, before working on having them roll over.

Begin the training by first having your dog sit, then lay down on the floor. Always offer treats and praise when your dog completes the requested action. Next, with a treat enclosed within your hand, put your hand on one side of your dog’s body, giving him room to lie down next to your hand. Gently use your opposite hand to encourage his body to move towards the treat. Once he is down on his side, offer praise. Next, move the treat to the other side of his body, asking him to “Roll Over”. When he complies, offer the treat and lots of praise.

This trick takes time and experimentation with your particular dog. However, remember that patience and positive reinforcement are key to any training challenge. Over time, your dog will roll over on command with ease.