Day 

 

Day 12 – Rollover 

Day 12’s trick is roll over, from the AKC’s Intermediate Trick Title. This is one of my absolute favorite tricks to teach because it’s so much fun to watch your dog master it step by step! Roll over is a great combination of coordination, body awareness, and responsiveness. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that dogs seem to enjoy performing. When teaching this trick, you’ll start with small, manageable movements and gradually build up to a full roll.

 

 

 

How to Teach Rollover

1. Start with a Down Position
Begin with your dog lying in a down position.

2. Introduce the Food Lure
Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose. Use the treat to guide their head toward one side, encouraging them to look over their shoulder or toward their spine. Move the treat slowly and deliberately—this might feel a bit odd to your dog at first, so give them time to figure it out.

3. Encourage a Side Lay
As you continue to guide the treat, your dog will likely begin to shift their weight and lay on their side. This is an important step! Mark and reward as soon as they lie on their side to reinforce this part of the movement.

4. Complete the Roll
Next, use the treat to guide your dog further, encouraging them to roll onto their back and then complete the full roll onto the other side. Reward generously once they finish the movement! For some dogs, breaking this down into smaller steps—first laying on their side, then rolling halfway, and finally rolling all the way over—can make it easier to learn.

 

5. Add a Verbal Cue
Once your dog is consistently following the lure and completing the roll, start introducing a verbal cue like “roll over” or “roll.” Say the cue just before you move your hand to signal the roll, so your dog begins to associate the word with the action.

6. Fade the Food Lure
Over time, begin phasing out the treat lure by replacing it with a hand gesture that mimics the movement of the lure. For example, you might make a circular motion with your hand to signal the roll over. Gradually make your hand signal smaller and less obvious, if desired.

7. Practice and Perfect
Like any new trick, roll over takes practice to master. Keep your training sessions short and positive to prevent frustration or fatigue. If your dog struggles at any step, take a step back and make the process easier by breaking it into smaller increments.

Tips for Success

  • Use soft, tasty treats that are easy for your dog to chew quickly. This helps keep the training flowing smoothly.
  • Work on a soft, comfortable surface like a carpet or mat to make rolling over physically easier and more comfortable for your dog.
  • Be patient! Some dogs take longer to figure out the coordination for roll over, especially larger or less flexible breeds.