How to Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

If your dog already knows the basics like "sit" and "stay," it might be time to level up to something a little more show-stopping.

Enter: “Play Dead.”
It’s charming, hilarious, and surprisingly enriching for your pup’s brain. Plus, it’s a great way to bond and build trust—all while sneaking in a little positive reinforcement training.

Let’s walk through the why and how behind this crowd-pleasing trick (and no, you don’t need to be a professional trainer to teach it!).

Why Bother With Dog Tricks?

Beyond the entertainment value, teaching your dog tricks like “play dead” taps into what trainers call canine enrichment. That’s a fancy way of saying: it keeps your dog’s brain busy, builds communication between you and your pup, and satisfies their natural desire to “work” with you.

Dogs are natural learners. When you engage that energy with clear steps and consistent rewards, you’re not only deepening your relationship, you’re helping reduce boredom-related behaviors like barking, chewing, or pacing.

Let’s Teach “Play Dead” (Step-by-Step)

Before You Start:
Grab small, tasty treats. You want something irresistible and easy to nibble (think soft, pea-sized bites). And remember: patience over pressure. Some dogs learn fast. Others take time.

Step 1: Start With a Relaxed Down

Begin by asking your dog to lie down. From here, you’ll guide them into a slightly more relaxed position by luring their head toward one side, which naturally shifts their weight onto a hip. That “hip drop” makes the rest of the trick easier.

💡 Trainer tip: Move slowly and reward even the small steps. This isn’t a race—it’s a fun game.

Step 2: Guide Them Onto Their Side

With their weight on one hip, slowly move the treat in an arc across their body to encourage a full “melt” onto their side. The goal here isn’t total perfection. Even if your dog starts to roll onto their side just a bit, mark and reward it.

This is a vulnerable position for many dogs, so go at their pace. Offer praise and gentle encouragement, and never force their body into position.

Step 3: Pause. Reward. Repeat.

Now that they’re laying on their side, it’s time to build duration. Feed one treat in position. Then move your hand a few inches away—then back in to reward again. This teaches your dog that staying still is what earns the treat.

With practice, you’ll be able to pull your hand farther away, and your dog will hold the “dead” position like a pro.

Step 4: Make It More Flexible

Try the same motion with you sitting, standing, or moving around. Change the environment too: living room, backyard, even at the park (if your dog is comfortable). The more variety, the more reliable the behavior becomes.

Step 5: Add a Cue (Optional, but Fun!)

Once your dog is confidently performing the full motion, start attaching a cue.
Some classic ones?

• “Bang!” (cue with a finger-point for drama)

• “Play dead!”

• Or just a subtle hand signal

Say the cue right before they do the trick, then reward like crazy.

Over time, your dog will connect the words or motion to the behavior.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of teaching “play dead” (or any trick) is what it does for your connection. It’s not just about entertaining the family or impressing your friends—it’s about tuning in to your dog, celebrating progress together, and building a stronger bond through shared communication.

So next time you have five minutes, a pocket full of treats, and a dog nearby, give it a shot. Your pup might just surprise you.

From our team at Viand: Keep learning. Keep bonding. Keep growing—together.