Teaching Your Dog How to Roll Over

Posted by Oreo the Labrador on Sun, Jan 1, 2023

A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Your Dog a New Trick

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to teach your pup how to roll over. We’ll cover everything from the basics of training to the more advanced techniques. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the process and be able to teach your pup the roll over with ease.

What You’ll Need

The first thing you’ll need to teach your pup the roll over is patience. Training a dog can be a long and sometimes frustrating process, so it’s important to remember to be patient with your pup.

You’ll also need some treats. Dogs love treats and they can be used as a reward for a job well done. Pick something your pup loves, like small pieces of cheese or pieces of hot dog.

Finally, you’ll need a clicker. A clicker is a small device that makes a clicking noise when pressed. It’s an effective training tool because it allows you to mark the behavior you want your pup to repeat.

Getting Started

The first step in teaching your pup the roll over is to get them comfortable with the clicker. Start by clicking the clicker and then giving your pup a treat. Do this several times until your pup associates the clicker with getting a treat.

Once your pup is comfortable with the clicker, you can start training the roll over. Start by having your pup in a standing position. Hold a treat in one hand and the clicker in the other.

Show your pup the treat and then move it in an arch over their head. As they follow the treat with their head, click the clicker and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your pup starts to understand what you want them to do.

Adding the Roll Over

Once your pup has mastered following the treat, you can start adding the roll over. Start by having your pup in a standing position. Hold the treat in one hand and the clicker in the other.

Show your pup the treat and then move it in an arch over their head. As they follow the treat with their head, click the clicker and give them the treat. Then, move the treat down to the side of their body and gently push their side with your other hand. As they roll over, click the clicker and give them the treat.

Repeat this several times until your pup starts to understand what you want them to do. Once they’ve mastered the roll over, you can start to phase out the treat. Start by giving them the treat only after they’ve rolled over. Then, slowly start to give them the treat less and less until they’re rolling over without the treat.

Troubleshooting

If your pup isn’t getting the hang of the roll over, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure you’re using the clicker consistently. If your pup isn’t getting the clicker and treat reward, they won’t understand what you want them to do.

If that doesn’t help, try using a different type of treat. Some dogs may not be motivated by the same treats, so try something different.

Finally, make sure you’re being patient with your pup. Training takes time and it takes patience. If you’re getting frustrated, take a break and come back to it later.


Teaching your pup the roll over is a great way to show off their intelligence and to bond with them. With patience and consistency, you’ll be able to teach your pup the roll over with ease.

By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be able to teach your pup the roll over in no time. Good luck and have fun!