How to teach your dog to lie down

Teaching your dog to lie down is easy! Master this simple trick and they'll be ready for more complicated tasks like loading the dishwasher and cross-stitching.

Make sure your dog has mastered the "sit" command. They will look awkward if they go directly from standing to lying down.

Show your dog that you have a treat. Training-sized treats are a good choice so your dog doesn't fall prey to the obesity epidemic from consuming massive amounts of treats during training.

Place the treat on the floor in front of your dog. Position it where their front paws will land when they lie down.

Gently hold your dog to the ground when they get the treat. Say "lie down" with great enthusiasm. Praise them excessively.

Repeat the process. Now, repeat it again. Go ahead and do it a few more times. Once they've mastered this, take pictures of your dog lying down to use on your Christmas cards.