Four Steps to Teach Your Dog to Roll Over
Step one: Start with your dog laying down. This will ensure it is easy for the dog to roll over safely. If your dog does not already know a command to lay down, now would be a good time for it to learn.
Step two: Hold your dog’s favorite treat in your hand while making sure your dog can not simply snatch the treat out of your hand. While holding the treat near your dog’s head, move the treat in a circular motion around the dog’s head while commanding it to “roll over”.
Step three: Physically help your dog roll after the command. Your dog may not know what to do if this is its first attempt at learning the trick, and this will ensure the dog learns the proper response to the command. It is important to help the dog as little as possible and to remain gentle while doing this.
Step four: Reward your dog after every roll. You must reward your dog frequently in the beginning and may gradually reduce the number of treats. The reward must be given to the dog immediately after completing the roll so it will be able to associate the trick with positive reinforcement.
Training Your Dog to be Nice to Small Animals
One of the most primordial instincts for a dog is the need to hunt. A domestic dog has no outlet for that need, and some may take up hunting and killing small domesticated animals in order to deal with that need. While it is advised that the dog be handed over to a professional trainer, especially if he is a habitual killer, there some simple ways to train the dog to avoid hunting the animals.
1) Start by exposing the dog to the animals. You need an area where an animal, such as chickens, runs freely and to which you have access, either by ownership or permission. Every time the dog goes near the chickens call his name while walking away from the chickens.
2) Reward him after each encounter with the chickens.
3) Over a few weeks repeat this process, allowing the dog to get closer to the chickens. As you get more confident in hs ability to ignore the chickens allow the leash to grow longer, but do not allow it to trail.
4) After a while, allow the chickens to roam freely around the dog while keeping the dog’s attention on you. If he wavers then grab his attention, such as by pulling his leash with just enough pressure to get his attention. Keep these sessions short and continue these sessions until the dog ignores the chickens.
After this training you should be able to allow the dog run free, but always keep an eye on the dog; the need to hunt may override training at any time. However, this should train the dog to not hunt and kill any small animals, and make him a better guard dog for any of your property.