If I could pick one command that quietly makes life calmer, it might be "down". A dog who will lie down on cue is a dog who can settle at the cafe, relax while you are cooking, hold still for a gentle brush, and switch off at the vet or on the grooming table. It is also a lovely stepping stone to a solid "stay". Best of all, teaching your dog to lie down is one of the easiest commands to get right, because you can simply guide them into it with a treat and let them discover it for themselves. This guide takes you through it step by step, using kind, reward-based methods only.
Think of this as a hands-on companion to the basic commands overview: it assumes your dog already has a reasonable "sit", which gives you the perfect starting position.
Why "down" is such a useful command
A reliable down is far more than a party trick. It gives your dog a clear, comfortable job to do in moments that might otherwise tip into excitement or worry: visitors at the door, a busy pavement, a wait at the groomer's. As the Royal Kennel Club notes in its guide to teaching your dog to lie down, it is especially handy for times when you want your dog to be still, such as when you are grooming or examining them.
Before you start
- Choose a quiet room with no distractions to compete for attention.
- Pick a comfy, non-slip surface. Dogs are reluctant to lie down on cold, hard or slippery floors, so a rug or mat helps.
- Have tiny, soft treats ready so you can reward quickly and often.
- Start from a sit if your dog already knows one, as it makes the movement easier.
Step by step: teaching the lie down
- Ask for a sit (or simply start with your dog standing if sit is not solid yet).
- Lure to the floor. Hold a treat to your dog's nose, then slowly move your hand straight down to the floor, just in front of their paws. Most dogs follow the treat down.
- Draw it out along the ground if they stall halfway, moving your hand slightly forwards so they stretch down into a lie.
- Mark and reward the moment their elbows touch the floor. Say a calm marker word like "yes" and give the treat while they are down.
- Repeat several times until the movement flows smoothly.
- Add the cue. Once your dog is reliably following your hand down, say "down" just before you lure. After plenty of repetitions, try saying "down" and pausing to see if they offer the position without the hand movement.
- Fade the treat lure. Gradually make the hand signal smaller, and start rewarding from your other hand or pocket so your dog is not always following food.
Dogs Trust sets out the same gentle luring method in its guide to teaching your dog to lie down.
Groomer's tip: Say the word "down" only once. If you repeat it over and over ("down, down, down"), your dog learns that the cue means the fifth time you say it, not the first. One calm cue, then wait.
Common sticking points
- They stand up instead of lying down. Your hand is probably moving too fast or too far forwards. Slow right down and keep the treat low and close to their paws.
- They will not follow the treat to the floor. Check the surface. Many dogs refuse cold or slippery floors, so try a mat.
- They pop straight back up. Reward faster, the instant they are down, before they have a chance to rise. You can build duration later.
- Nothing is working today. Keep sessions short (a few minutes) and end on an easy win. Never push a lie down physically by pressing on your dog's back, as it feels unpleasant and erodes trust.
Keep it kind and short
Reward-based training works because your dog is choosing to lie down and being paid for it, so they happily repeat it. Little and often is the secret: two or three short, cheerful sessions a day beat one long, frustrating one. If progress stalls, simply make the next step easier and reward more. Patience and treats, not pressure, build a lovely relaxed "down".
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to teach a dog to lie down?
Many dogs pick up the luring within a few short sessions, and the verbal cue follows over a week or two of daily practice. Older or more distractible dogs may take a little longer, which is perfectly normal.
Should my dog know "sit" before "down"?
It helps, because starting from a sit makes the movement into a lie down easier to lure. That said, you can teach down from standing too, so do not worry if sit is not perfect yet.
Why does my dog refuse to lie down on the floor?
Surface matters enormously. Cold, hard or slippery floors feel insecure, so try practising on a rug or mat. Some dogs also feel vulnerable lying down in busy or noisy spots, so choose somewhere calm.
Is it okay to push my dog into the down position?
No, please do not. Pushing or forcing feels unpleasant and can make your dog wary of the command. Luring with a treat lets them choose the movement, which is kinder and far more reliable.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. A dog who will lie down and relax on cue is a dream on the grooming table, and it keeps the whole visit calm. Book a gentle one-to-one groom.