Tricks
Teach Your Dog to Crawl
intermediate · 1–2 weeks of short sessions
Crawling means your dog moves forward while keeping their belly close to the ground. It builds on the down cue your dog already knows. Most dogs pick up the basics in one to two weeks of short, daily sessions. Each session should last about three to five minutes. End while your dog is still having fun and succeeding.
Master these first
What you'll need
- Small soft treats (pea-sized)
- A flat, comfortable surface such as carpet or a yoga mat
- A treat pouch or small bowl nearby
- A clicker (optional, but helpful for precise timing)
Step by step
1. Start with a solid down
Ask your dog to lie down and reward them. Practice several repetitions until they settle quickly and stay relaxed. Do not move on until the down is reliable.
2. Lure the nose forward
With your dog in a down, hold a treat at their nose level and move it slowly forward along the ground, just an inch or two. Keep the treat low so their head follows without lifting their hips.
3. Mark and reward any forward movement
The moment your dog shifts their weight or slides even slightly forward, click or say 'yes' and give the treat. You are rewarding effort, not a perfect crawl yet.
4. Build distance gradually
Over several sessions, move the lure a little farther before marking. Increase distance by one or two inches at a time. Rushing this step causes dogs to stand up.
5. Keep hips down
If your dog starts to rise, simply stop moving the lure and wait. When they settle back down, try again with a shorter lure distance. Patience here saves a lot of backtracking.
6. Add a hand signal
Once your dog crawls a few inches reliably, introduce a hand signal. A flat hand moving forward low to the ground works well. Pair it with the lure for several sessions.
7. Fade the lure
Begin presenting the hand signal without a treat in that hand. Reward from your other hand or treat pouch after the dog crawls. Do this gradually over multiple sessions.
8. Add the verbal cue
Say 'crawl' once, clearly, just before you give the hand signal. Repeat this pairing consistently. The word will gain meaning through repetition.
9. Increase distance and duration
Slowly ask for more crawling before rewarding. Vary the distance so your dog does not always expect the same amount. Reward generously when they offer extra effort.
10. Practice in different locations
Dogs learn in context. Practice in a few different rooms or outdoor spots. This helps your dog understand the cue applies everywhere, not just in one place.
Troubleshooting
My dog keeps standing up instead of crawling forward.
Your lure is likely too high or moving too fast. Return to shorter distances and keep the treat pressed close to the floor. Reward the moment the belly stays down, even for tiny movements.
My dog just stays still and does not move forward at all.
Try luring with a higher-value treat. Make sure the surface is comfortable. You can also try shaping by rewarding any tiny weight shift forward, then building from there.
My dog crawls a little, then pops up to get the treat.
Mark and deliver the treat while the dog is still low, not after they stand. Speed up your timing or use a clicker to capture the exact moment they are still on the ground.
My dog loses interest quickly.
Keep sessions to two or three minutes. End on a successful repetition. Try training before a meal when your dog is a little hungry. Switch to a tastier treat if needed.
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