Roll Over
This is a fun trick that often makes dogs struggle because they are uncomfortable rolling on their back.
If your dog is hesitant, reward him along the way, and if he really struggles don’t go for the full turn right away, but instead go for just a quarter turn, a half turn etc.
You will reach your goal much faster than if you insist that your dog rolls over all the way from the beginning.
Generally, this is an important dog training lesson:
If your dog cannot do a certain behavior. Do not keep on trying to make him do it. Instead, split up the behavior into many little bits and reward those – this way you can get him doing the right thing very quickly. Once he understands, you can fade out the intermittent treats.
Comments (6)
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Lucy Xitlaly Dog Owner
Can I help my dog balance with my arm as support?
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
I am not quite sure how you would let him balance on your arm while he is rolling over? Do you mean during another trick?
Lucy Xitlaly Dog Owner
Yes, I’m sorry, I thought this was the “Sit pretty” lesson .-. And I can’t delete my comment
Steffi SpiritDog Trainer Team
No worries. So for the Sit Pretty, I advise to not let the dog rest the paws on your arm as it gives him a false sense of balance. His center of gravity needs to be above his hips, if you let the dog rest on your arm the center of gravity will be too far forward and confuse the dog in further training – makes it much harder to fade the arm again.
Jennifer Dog Owner
My small dog will not take his back legs out of “sphinx” position. He will tuck his front under and twist is head, but then stand up. My bigger dog was a little easier, she finally got it 🙂
Élise SpiritDog Trainer Team
Some dogs have a harder time going into a casual laying position to help with the luring process for the rollover.
I would try to keep working and rewarding even the slightest movements into his starting to lay sideways, on a hip.
You can also try doing it on a softer, a bit unbalanced surface as it can encourage the dog to lay on one side to keep balance 🙂
Let me know what you think!