How to Teach a Dog to Play Dead
Learning how to teach a dog to play dead is actually really easy once your dog knows the lie down command. If you haven't taught your dog to do that yet, it's best to do it first. Once the dog knows that command, you'll have much more control over them in just about any situation. While teaching a dog to play dead is a relatively easy command to teach, it can take up to two weeks of training for your dog to fully master it.
Just be patient with them, because when they master this trick, you won't be able to stop showing them off to your friends and family.
What You will Need to Teach Your Dog to Play Dead
The first thing you're going to need are dog treats, as you would with any other trick. If you have a clicker you can use it, and you can use a target stick if that helps as well. The only things that you really need are treats to reward your pet.When teaching a dog to play dead, you should break up the training into sessions that last for less than five minutes each time. If you keep it short, sweet, and fun, your dog will enjoy the process. Give your dog some time to pick up this trick. It's an interesting behavior for them, but they'll master it.
Teach a Dog to Play Dead Instructions
If you have already been working with your dog to teach them obedience and tricks, then you will know the process. You essentially start with something very simple and slowly build on it at each new training session. Once your dog has mastered a step, you can move onto the next one.Once your dog really knows how to do the trick, you will work with them to understand a verbal command. You'll also want to get them to the point where they can do it quickly.
The first step to teach your dog to play dead is to stand in front of them and command them to lie down. When they do the command successfully, be sure to give them a treat. The next thing you are going to do is get them to lie down, and while they are down, move your hand (with a treat inside) around behind the dog's head.
Your dog will try to follow the treat with their nose and it will lead them to roll over onto their back.
You don't have to get them to roll over onto their back the first time. If your dog is having a hard time doing this, be sure to reward them when they follow your hand with the treat inside. Slowly move your hand a little bit farther each time until they continue to follow it and it makes them roll over.
When you can eventually get your dog to roll onto their back, you are going to want to start practicing the trick in a smooth, quick motion and you want to add your verbal command as well. A lot of people like to add a funny gesture along to the command, such as a gun that you make with your hand.
Remember, you need to slowly stop relying on your hand motions and treats to get your dog to do the trick. Ideally, you should get to the point where you only reward your dog after they complete the trick perfectly.
If you continue to work on the play dead trick, you can eventually get to the point where your dog will respond soley to your visual command. Obviously, this isn't necessary, and you really only have to attempt that if you see a point to it. Personally, I think it's more fun when you say your verbal command at the same time.
Teach a Dog to Play Dead - Final Thoughts
After you successfully teach a dog to play dead, you should try to cement it in your dog's mind as much as you can. Like with other commands, this means practicing it in different locations with different distractions. Don't always give them a treat as a reward, because you don't to train your dog to only obey you when there is food involved.Another thing you can do is try to get your dog to play dead for a longer amount of time, just like you did (or should do) with the "lie down" command. You know that your dog is really starting to become obedient when you can get them to hold their position until you give them another command.
That's really all there is to teaching a dog to play dead! Stay patient as you set out to teach your dog how to do it, and they will pick it up remarkably fast. Then you'll be able show the trick off to your friends.
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