Teaching Your Dog to Roll Over: Step-by-Step Training Guide

Teaching your dog to roll over is not only a great way to show off your pup to family and friends, but also to strengthen your bond. 

With the right approach, practicing this trick can be a rewarding experience for both of you — you’ll be grinning ear to ear in no time! Here’s how to successfully teach your pup in four easy steps.

Preparation

When first teaching your dog to roll over, it’s important to create a safe and distraction-free environment for them to practice in. It’s best to do it at home on a softer floor first, with minimal surrounding noises and movement.

You should also avoid using a harsh tone or rushing your pup, as this will only make them frustrated or even afraid. They’re probably doing their best anyway! 

Lastly, remember that the key to teaching your dog to roll over is to break down the desired behavior into bite-sized chunks. We’ll show you how to do that below.

Step #1: Teach Them to Lie Down

First, teach your dog how to lie down calmly in response to the “lie down” or “down” cue. 

• You can put your hand on their back and gently(!) push downwards to demonstrate what you want them to do.
• You can also lure them into the “lie down” position with a treat. Keep it in front of their head, then gradually lower it toward their front paws.
• Alternatively, try starting with your dog in the “sit” position. It’s usually easier for them to go to lying down from sitting rather than standing.

Each time your dog successfully gets into the lying position, give them lots of praise and treats to build positive associations. Make sure to repeat this step a few times if your pup hasn’t already learned how to lie down on cue. This is a trick in its own right!

Step #2: Offer Them a Treat

Once you have your pup lying down, offer them a treat. Put it just in front of their head and make sure they follow it with their eyes. 

You want them to be super-focused on the treat before you proceed to step #3.

Step #3: Put the Treat Next to Their Head

Now that you’ve got your pooch laser-focused, move the treat to one side of their head. They should now turn their head and, gradually, their entire body toward the treat.

Once you have them lying on their side, proceed to step #4.

Step #4: Move the Treat Downward

Start moving the treat downward toward their backbone. If your pup follows the treat as you lower it, they will naturally start to roll over. The moment they roll even partially, give lots of praise and rewards to show that this is the type of behavior you want.

What If the Trick Isn’t Working?

If your dog still doesn’t understand what you want them to do, you’re probably moving too fast. Go back to square one, and slowly repeat the above steps one by one. Remember: patience is key!

What If It Is Working?

If you successfully got your dog to roll over, congratulations! Here are a few more advanced techniques and tips on what you can do from here.

Add the “Roll Over” Command

Once your dog is consistently rolling over when you lower the treat, start adding the verbal cue “roll over.” Say it right before your dog rolls over so that they learn to associate the cue with the action over time.

Stop Using the Treat

Gradually transition away from using the treat as a lure. When your dog starts responding to the cue about 80% of the time, start rewarding them with the treat every other time — then every few times. The goal is to eventually fade out the treats and replace them with verbal praise and cuddles.

Practice Regularly

Practice the “roll over” command several times a week to keep it fresh in your dog’s mind. Short 2-3 minute training sessions should do the trick. (No pun intended.)

Keep Providing Positive Reinforcement

Give lots of verbal praise and affection every time your dog rolls over on cue. This reinforces for your dog that rolling over is a “job well done!”