How to Teach Your Dog to Roll Over

Teach Your Dog to Roll Over in 4 Steps

Training your dog to roll over is a fun dog trick to practice, but it can also be a gateway cue for additional dog training techniques like teaching your dog to stay.

Since many dog training cues build upon other cues, teaching your dog as many cues as possible can offer good exercise while building a ladder to other training. Roll over is just such a gateway cue.

1. Use a reward. Hold it high above his nose and cue your dog to “sit.” You can use either a treat reward or a toy reward for a successful “sit.” Some professional dog trainers have found the toy reward to be very effective as a lure for this dog training practice.
2. Hold the dog toy or treat at the end of the dog’s nose and slowly lower it to the ground. This action will lure the dog into the “down” position.
3. Once the dog is down, move the toy up and around his neck, prompting him to roll over and follow the lure of the toy or treat.
4. When the dog has successfully rolled over, offer him his ball or favorite toy you have used for the lesson.

Do It Again, Repetition is Important

As you proceed through each step of the dog training session, make sure to repeat yourself. Repeating the cue creates the pattern for your dog. Also, after each successful accomplishment is performed by your dog—each step of the ladder so to speak—offer lots of praise and positive reinforcement.

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