Playing Commando Death

"Playing dead" is a hilarious and impressive trick that will give your dog a stage-worthy performance. It requires a bit of patience and repetition, but the results are definitely worth it. This trick is not only fun to demonstrate, but it also improves your dog's focus and obedience.

How to Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Start with "Down": Have your dog start in a lying position. This is the starting position for the trick.
Use a reward: Hold a treat near your dog's nose and make sure he pays attention.
Guide the movement: Slowly move the treat to the side of his head, so that he follows his body and eventually rolls onto his side.
Give the command: Clearly say "Bang!" or another chosen word while making a pistol gesture. This creates a visual and auditory signal.
Reward only on command: Make sure you only reward your dog when he responds to your cue and "plays dead." If he lies down or rolls over on his own, don't reward him.
Practice and refine: Repeat the trick and gradually increase the amount of time your dog stays down until you give him another command, such as "Free."

Tips for success

Start in a quiet environment: Avoid distractions during the first training sessions.
Reward small steps: If your dog only turns his head or lies on his side at first, reward him for that and build up the trick.
Use positive reinforcement: Keep it fun and reward your dog with treats and praise to keep him motivated.
Introduce variation: Once your dog understands the trick, you can replace "Bang!" with another signal, such as "Bang!" or "Boom!"

Why is "Playing Dead" important?

This trick is not only fun to watch, but it also helps your dog listen better and focus on your cues. It strengthens your bond and makes training more playful. Moreover, your dog develops greater coordination and body awareness.

Troubleshooting during training

Is your dog refusing to roll onto his side? Use an irresistible treat to gently guide him into the correct position.
Is he not staying down? Reward him more quickly and practice with short periods before increasing the duration.
Is your dog distracted? Choose a less stimulating environment and keep training sessions short and fun.

Want to show us how you teach your dog to "Play Dead"? Send us a video explaining the training process and sharing your approach. Email your video to klantenservice@fidello.nl and receive €10 in store credit if your submission is published.