Play DeadDog rolls onto their side or back and stays still
A half roll-over with a stay. The dog goes from standing or sitting to flat on their side and holds it. The drama is what sells it: a finger gun and 'bang' is the classic presentation. The hold is the hard part.
Also known as: Bang, Nap Time
At a glance
- Tier
- 3 · Advanced
- Time to fluency
- 3–6 weeks
- Practice
- 3× per week, 5 min each
- Equipment
- Small soft treats, A soft surface for the flop
Prerequisites
Your dog should know these words first:
How to teach play dead
Lure
Lure into a roll-over but stop halfway and reward the on-side position
- From a down, lure toward the shoulder as if starting a roll-over
- Stop the lure when the dog is on their side. Mark and reward in that position
- Add duration: 1 second still, then 3, then 5
- Reward ON THEIR SIDE, not after they get up
Hand Signal
Finger gun and a 'bang' motion
- Point a finger gun, drop your thumb. The dog flops
- Start from a down, then from a sit, then from standing
- The drama builds over time. A fast flop from standing is impressive
Verbal Cue
The word (or 'bang') triggers the full drop-and-hold
- Say the word or make the 'pew' sound, then the gesture
- Fade the gesture so the word alone produces the flop
- Hold the stillness. Do not release them until you give a verbal 'OK'
Success criteria
- Unlearned
- Does not lie on their side on cue
- In progress
- Drops and holds on the word alone from a sit or stand
- Mastered
- Dramatic flop from standing on verbal cue, holds until released, in any environment
Common mistakes
- Not building the hold. The dog flops and immediately gets up
- Rewarding after the dog gets up instead of while they are still on their side
- Only practising from a down, never from a stand
- Not using a soft surface, which makes the flop uncomfortable