How to train your dog to roll over in 5 steps
“Roll over” is a cute and fun trick to teach your dog. It is helpful if your dog knows the “down” cue before you start teaching this trick. You don’t have to be a professional dog trainer to teach a dog to roll over, but you must have already taught your dog how to sit and how to lie down before attempting this dog trick.
How to Teach a Dog to Roll Over
You don’t necessarily need a dog training clicker to teach your dog to roll over, but clicker training is helpful for more efficiently teaching dogs new tricks.
First things first, before you begin, you’re going to need to make sure that you have some treats at hand!
Command your dog to lie down: Ask your dog to perform a “down” position in front of you. By doing this, you will be helping your dog to understand that it’s time to listen to you and follow some commands. Make sure your dog is in the down position with its belly on the ground, paws resting in front, and head facing up.
Move the treat toward your dog’s shoulder. When you’re ready, place the dog treat close to your dog’s nose so it can smell and see it. Then gradually move the treat away from its nose and towards its shoulder. Your dog should turn its head to follow the treat. Keep moving the treat so your dog has to first roll onto its side to follow it. Be alert in case your dog tries to snatch the treat before performing the trick.
Praise your dog and give it the treat. your dog completes the roll perfectly, you should then reward your dog by giving it plenty of praise and the treat. If using a clicker, click it before giving your dog the treat.
Practice with “row over” command, and assist when necessary. All dogs will need lots of practice and help to consistently roll over on their own. Making sure to say the words “rollover” to let your dog understand what it is, otherwise, you’re only going to find that your dog is unable to repeat the command when you ask it to.
Stop using the dog treat. The final step in teaching your dog to roll over is to stop using treats to lure him into the roll. Ocean your dog consistently rolls over for the treat, it’s time to give the roll over command without presenting a treat as motivation. Some dogs catch on quickly and will roll over immediately. Once the dog has rolled over completely, click or praise and give a treat. Over time, stop rewarding it with a treat after every roll so you can use treats to teach your dog a new trick instead.
