How to Teach a Dog to Play Dead in 4 Vet-Approved Steps (With Video)
In this article
View 2 More +In addition to training your dog to obey key commands like “sit” and “stay”, there are plenty of fun tricks you can work on. “Play dead” is one of the most common commands, and it’s easy for dogs to pick up with a bit of practice and a few tasty morsels for encouragement, but they will need to know the “lie down” command before you get started.
If your dog doesn't know how to lie down yet, we'll share a simple tutorial later on. For now, let's get right into how to teach your dog to play dead.
The 4 Easy Steps to Teach Your Dog to Play Dead
What you'll need:
1. Ask Your Dog to Lie Down
Your dog will need to lie down in order for this to work. If your dog doesn’t know this command yet, scroll down to the next section, and we’ll explain how to do that before you progress to “play dead”.
2. Show the Treat
Next, let your dog see the treat in your hand. Draw your hand toward the ground on one side to encourage your dog to follow it and subsequently lean to that side.
When they roll onto their side and place their head on the ground, mark with a verbal cue like "good" or—if you've been clicker training—with a click. Reward with the treat at the same time. Remember to offer the treat close to the ground so your dog understands that they need to put their head down in order to get the reward.
3. Add a Verbal Cue
Practice the above steps until your dog gets the idea. Then, start giving a verbal cue like "play dead" in conjunction with a hand signal that differs from the hand signal you use for "lie down".
Continue to reward your dog with the treat, but gradually increase the time they have to stay in the "play dead" position before they get the reward. When the trick is finished, break it with a verbal cue like "okay" or "finished".
4. Keep Practicing
It’s a good idea to reinforce what your dog has learned with consistent practice. Eventually, you should be able to get them to follow the verbal command without offering a treat—use praise as a substitute. Just keep in mind that occasional treats should still be used intermittently to maintain your pup's motivation.
What if My Dog Doesn't Know "Lie Down"?
If your dog doesn't know how to lie down, now's the best time to learn! Here are the steps to follow:
- Have your dog sit.
- Show your dog a treat in your hand.
- Move your hand toward the ground, starting from the dog's nose area and downwards in the direction of their chest. This encourages your dog to follow your hand to the point where they're lying down.
- Give the dog the treat straight away when they lie down.
- Keep practicing the command.
Play Dead Training: Extra Tips
Sometimes, things don't go exactly to plan when you're trying to teach your dog to follow a command. It happens, so don't worry. Here are some training troubleshooting tips.
Delay Rewards if Necessary
Some dogs get straight out of the "play dead" position as soon as they receive the treat. To get your dog used to staying in position, slightly hold off on offering the treat. If it looks like they’re going to get up too quickly, extend the amount of time they have to wait before getting the treat by small, manageable increments.
Show Your Dog What to Do
If your dog doesn’t seem to grasp that they need to roll onto their side, you can try gently guiding them with a lure, helping their body into position, and offering the treat once they’re in situ. They should soon start to realize what they need to do.
Be Patient
Dogs learn at different paces, and it can take some time to get things right. Be patient with your dog while they're learning and remember that encouragement and praise go a long way!
Final Thoughts
By following a few simple steps, you’ll have your dog playing dead in no time. Some dogs need more practice than others, so don’t worry if your dog doesn’t get it right away. Just keep at it, and you’ll soon see the results.
Once your dog has mastered "play dead", you can move on to teaching another fun trick, like spinning, rolling over, or giving a high five, always keeping sessions short, positive, and enjoyable for your dog.
Related post: How to Teach a Dog to Spin: 5 Easy Tips
Sources
Featured Photo Credit: GoodFocused, Shutterstock
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Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented many furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with pets, Kit can be found drawing in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.
