One of the most endearing aspects of having a dog is how excited they are to just be a part of every little shenanigan, even when they have no idea what is happening. We’ve seen it in the movies and enacted it on our friends – “Bang Bang!!” and you’re dead. How cool would it be if our dogs could play along with this trick? It is sure to become a crowd favorite! Let’s get into the deets of how to teach a dog to play dead.
Shaping towards the final behavior
Playing dead is a super fun trick but can be a little time-consuming to teach because, unlike simple cues like Sit and look, this one compiles several behaviors to get one final behavior. Your dog will first need to sit, then lie down, lean on one side, start rolling over and stop midway. This method of training that teaches and rewards several small behaviors to achieve one final behavior is called Shaping.
Tricks that require shaping may take more than a few days to teach and perfect due to the sheer amount of repetitions required. From the individual steps multiple times to repeating multiple steps several times in different permutations and combinations, it may take a while for your dog to grasp that “Bang bang” means offering the final behavior from whatever position they are currently in. Teaching a dog to play dead is a great mental stimulation not only for dogs but also humans,
4 Benefits of teaching your dog to play dead
While this is not an essential trick like recall, stay etc, teaching a dog to play dead is an incredible way to work your dog’s brain and bond with them. Not only do we get to brush up on basic commands like sit and down, which are a part and parcel of the trick, we get to challenge our dogs further and improve their cognitive abilities. Here are 4 benefits of teaching this uber-fun trick to your dog –
- Playing dead teaches the dog to lie still and hold the position for a few seconds. This can instantly calm a dog down in any scenario
- It’s a great way to tire a dog down without the need to step outside
- Trick training is one of the best ways to bond with your dog as it improves communication and responsiveness
- It improves flexibility and is a nice little mid-day stimulation for both humans and dogs
Training techniques used: Shaping, Positive reinforcement, luring, rewarding, clicker training (optional)
You will need: Your dog’s favorite treats cut up into tiny bits, a clicker (optional), your dog at a time when they are hungry or in the mood for some treats
How to teach a dog to play dead in 6 easy steps
Step no 1
With a treat in your hand, lure your dog into the down position. Repeat this step several times as it is important for your dog to be able to go down on cue comfortably. If you are using a clicker, click as soon as your dog goes into the down position.
Step no 2
Take the treat on one of the sides of the dog’s nose and get them to lean on either one of their sides.
Step no 3
If your dog knows to roll over, get them to roll over and stop midway; exactly when they’re on their back and their belly is facing upwards. If not, hold the treat an inch away from your dog’s nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder. The goal is to lure them into laying on their side and gradually go on to their back.
Step no 4
Once you reach the position where your dog is lying on his back and his belly is facing upwards, hold the position and keep rewarding them. The goal of the trick is to get your dog to directly go into this position from standing on cue.
Be careful that your dog does not choke on his treats in this position. Feed them tiny bits and pieces of treats. You could also go crazy with belly rubs in this position to make it more enjoyable for your dog.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 several times.
Step no 5
Add the cue. You could use “Bang bang” or “Play dead” or “Avada Kedavra” if you’re a Harry Potter fan! During the initial phase of practicing this trick, say the cue only once your dog has physically gone into the ‘play dead’ position. This will help your dog learn that the cue is associated with the final position.
Repeating the cue over and over again while the dog is standing may not help as it may take your dog a few days to figure out that the end position is an amalgamation of 3-4 different behaviors.
Step no 6
After repeating step no 5 several times, say the cue while your dog is in the standing position and see if they perform the entire trick. Some dogs may perform the whole trick within just a few repetitions whereas some dogs may need some guidance and prompts to get into the final position.
Make sure to train at your dog’s pace and do not rush your dog into learning.
Troubleshooting
“My dog can play dead at home, but as soon as there are any distractions or people, he seems to forget it”
Dogs are poor at generalizing. It may take a few repetitions for them to understand that the meaning of playing dead is the same, regardless of the situation they are in. Practice is key here. This trick uses the shaping technique of training, meaning, your dog has to perform a series of multiple behaviors to finish the trick.
An environment with a lot of stimulation may cause your dog to get distracted in the middle or may interfere with his listening and responding skills. This is primarily why dogs often aren’t able to perform familiar behaviors in distractions.
To tackle this, practice this cue in low distractions so many times that performing the final behavior on command becomes a muscle memory for your dog.
“My dog is having trouble holding the play dead position”
Many dogs may find the position of laying flat on the back uncomfortable due to several reasons such as hard flooring, refusal to expose that kind of vulnerability, physical discomfort etc. Once you get to the root cause, work with your dog to desensitize them towards this position.
Try the cue on a rug or a carpeted floor. Offer treats, praise, or gentle belly rubs to create positive associations with the behavior. Engage in gentle play and interactions when your dog is lying down. Lastly, respect your dog’s boundaries. If your dog seems hesitant, do not push him.
Teaching a dog to play dead is a great way to keep them engaged during those times they stare at you blankly with hopes of playing for a bit. It is an excellent combination of physical and mental stimulation.