How To Teach A Dog To Roll Over in 4 Simple Steps – Top Dog Tips

Command training is a great activity for dogs and their owners. Sit, stay, come and lie down are some of the most popular commands to teach. Command training is stimulating and engaging for your pet, and it will help you control your pooch when needed. After training your dog to follow basic commands, learning how to teach a dog to roll over is a logical progression.

The great thing about this trick is that it looks really impressive, but it’s so simple to teach. Your dog will need to know a few basic commands before you can move on to more advanced tricks like rolling over. Make sure he already has full comprehension how to sit and lie down before trying to teach him to roll over.

If he has these two basic commands down, you can learn how to teach a dog to roll over in 4 simple steps. As with any command training, you’ll need something to motivate your pup. Treats work well, but a favorite toy could also be used. If your dog is energetic, it’s best to work with him when he’s a bit tired. He will be more focused and able to concentrate better if he doesn’t have a lot of pent up energy.

How To Teach A Dog To Roll Over

As you’ll notice in my video above, my Labrador is EXTREMELY food motivated. That’s why I chose to use treats while training her. Saddie is a pretty silly girl, as you’ll also see in the video, but for her first effort I think she did a really great job.

If you choose to use a food motivator, make sure that it is low in calories. Lean lunch meat or healthy, safe commercial dog training treats would both work well. If your dog isn’t a picky eater, some dog-friendly veggies would also make great, all-natural training treats. Each treat should have less than 10 calories, but less than 5 calories is ideal.

Once you have your motivator (treat or toy), it’s time to begin learning how to teach a dog to roll over. Find a space with a large open area. You’ll also want to limit distractions, so keep other pets and unneeded family members away from the training area. If your dog is easily distracted, it may be best to start the training indoors, because there are many uncontrollable distractions outside.

ALSO: 25 Dog Tricks – List of Most Difficult Tricks and Commands To Teach Your Dog

1. Start with Lying Down

Start with your dog lying down. If you can get him to lie on his side, that would be even better. This will help him initially learn to roll all the way over. Close your fist around the treat and show it to your dog. Allow him to sniff your fist so he knows the treat is in there.

2. Move Hand Around Dog’s Head

With the treat enclosed in your fist, move your hand up and around your dog’s head. As I demonstrate in the video guide above, you’ll want to repeat this motion while saying the command “roll over.” As your dog moves his nose to follow the treat, it’s likely that his body will follow.

I had to help Saddie roll over the first few times, and it’s likely that you’ll have to do that with your pup as well. Keep the hand with the treat repeating the motion, and use your free hand to help push your pet’s body over. Once he’s completed the roll, be sure to use a lot of praise and give him his reward.

3. Practice Frequently

Continue practicing frequently. You’ll be able to gradually reduce the rewards as your dog gets the hang of it. When learning how to teach a dog to roll over, you start by using lots of treats and then gradually reduce the frequency.

4. Switch to a Hand Signal

After Fido has learned the basic movement of rolling over, turn your closed fist into a hand signal. You can still use a fist, but I would suggest opening one or two fingers into a point. This way your dog will know that you aren’t holding a treat, but he’s still expected to obey the command.

Continue working and practicing until your dog has it down. Once he understands the command and performs it on cue, you can add in some distractions like other pets or people. You can even take him outside to practice rolling over in the grass or fall leaves.

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