The lie down command is a very useful command and is fairly easy to teach your dog. After teaching the sit command, this command should be a breeze for you. Getting your dog to lie down and wait while you go into a shop or walk away is a very useful command and is also good for gaining trust and a good relationship with your new dog.

The command should be firstly taught indoors or in a comfortable place where your dog is used to learning and doing commands for you, such as its regular walk place if suitable. Then as time goes on and your dog gets better with the command, you should take it into a public place with lots of interests and new smells to distract them. This should test the strength and commitment your dog has for obeying commands.

When to start training your dog

To start with, you should begin the training process before mealtimes when your dog is hungry and where they will be more than happy to please you if it means they get a treat, this will encourage training and will help the progress of your dog.

When you are ready and you have your dogs favourite treats to hand, start by getting your dog to sit for you, followed by a reward .Then let your dog know you have another treat in your hand for him and slowly lower it in front of him, going lower and lower, as the treat gets lowered closer to the ground your dog will be forced into the down position with their belly firmly on the floor and paws ahead of them.

As soon as your dogs belly touches the floor, the command ‘down’ should be said and you should reward them with praise, encouragement and their favourite treat. This makes the dog associate the command with the action and the action with a reward. Dog training, especially new dog training should be an enjoyable experience for your pet for best results.

If your dog steps out of line during the exercise, gently punish them accordingly and do not give any reward. After you have learnt this command and you now think you’re ready for the next step, try taking your dog into a distracting place or area, or playing with their favourite toy around them. When you have your dog under control at all times using the down command it is time to move on to more advanced dog training and you have now got a new trick to show your friends and family.