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Train your dog to roll over

Roll over requires your dog to lie down flat on his stomach, roll all the way over, and get back to his feet. Though concept is simple, this is not always an easy trick for your dog to perform. Long-back breeds like dachshunds or basset hounds may not be as good at this trick as other breeds due to the way they are built.

As you train this trick, pay close attention to your dog to be sure he’s not hurting or twisting his back. If despite your best efforts, your dog refuses to get on his back, skip this trick and try another. Your dog may be sore or uncomfortable and this may be his only way to express it. It is always important when training a dog to listen to what she is telling you.

1. Get your dog to lie down with his belly touching the ground, and click and treat.
2. Use a treat or a toy to turn your dog’s head until he flops over on one hip, and click and treat.
3. Use a treat or toy held close to your dog’s shoulder to get him completely on his side, and click and treat.
4. Gradually move the treat or toy, while he’s chewing on it, to move him onto his back and then eventually all the way over. This step often takes many attempts before the dog is comfortable enough to be on his back.
5. Click and treat small efforts to move toward the treat at first before you get him to move further to get his click and treat. If you make it hard to earn a click your dog will quit on you and think it’s no fun.
6. When your dog is rolling over easily, it’s time to start fading out all the extra cues and make him offer more before you click.
7. Once he can roll over with just this little bit of help you can begin to label this trick as rollover. Whatever you are doing with your hand or fist could be a hand signal for the behaviour as well.
8. Add in distractions one at a time and be prepared to help him complete the trick if he has trouble concentrating.

Trick tips : obstacles to roll over

Dogs with long backs sometimes find it uncomfortable and awkward to roll over on their backs and then try to get back on their feet. Overweight dogs or dogs that have had back injuries in the past may also have difficulties. If possible, use a soft surface like a towel or carpet to teach the roll over trick.

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