Best Way to Train Your Dog to Roll Over

“Roll over” is not only a really flashy trick, it’s a trick with a mes­sage. When your dog rolls over, he is passing through a submissive posture. So, like “Give your paw,” this is a benign reminder of your relative status, that which allows you to protect your dog and which gives him the comfort of being protected. In addition, dogs do roll over when they are happy.

Some will even wiggle in the middle to scratch their backs. Rolling over is fast, energetic and jolly, but it will take a bit more time to teach than “Paws up.” However, you still only work a maximum of ten minutes at a time.

Teach “Roll over” after your dog is doing “Down” on com­mand. Tell him “Down,” tell him you prefer him to Lassie and Benji, kneel next to him and gently roll him over, giving the com­mand as you do. Then let him jump to his feet and praise him enthusiastically. Practice one or two rolls a day.

You can also sneak in the “Roll over” command when you see your dog is about to roll over. Be sure to praise after he rolls, as if he did it on command. This will help him think the whole thing’s a grand idea.

Once your dog starts responding to the command so that you don’t have to be rolling him over manually, add a hand signal, a cir­cle made with your hand, left or right, whichever way you want him to roll. If you pay attention to the way your dog lies down, you’ll see which way to circle. If his feet are on the left side, for example, he will only be able roll to the right easily. In order to roll left, he’d have to readjust his position, which would make this whole endeavor seem more like work than play.

“Roll over” is a lively activity, and cheerful too. Use it as a flashy end to a training session, or when you come in from a walk, before you give your dog his biscuit. It’s also great as part of the 10-minute workout (to follow), certifiably adorable and satisfying enough to be repeated several times.