Last Updated: 05/01/2026
How to Teach A Dog To Roll Over
Wondering how to teach your dog or puppy to roll over? Check out our tips and tricks to make the process easier for everyone from our vet team.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read
Once your dog has mastered drop, you can progress to teaching him 'roll over'. As well as being a neat trick, 'roll over' can be useful if you, the groomer or the vet need to get a look at your dog's belly.
Step 1 - Understand How Dog Training Works
Dogs learn just like humans, by trial and error. Their learning goes on whether we are actively teaching them or not. Dogs learn in 2 main ways - through classical conditioning, or operant conditioning.
When we are training our dogs to perform certain behaviours or tricks, we are using operant conditioning. This is where we pair the appropriate behaviour with a reward, which makes the behaviour more likely to happen the next time. If used correctly through positive reinforcement, operant conditioning can create a wonderful bond between you and your dog, and is so beneficial for their mental health and enrichment. Dogs will naturally seek to perform behaviours that have brought positive consequences, and will try to avoid behaviours that have brought negative consequences in the past.
Step 2 - Gear up with the Right Dog Training Equipment
Before you start training, it's important to have the right tools to make your dog's learning a success. Everyone who will be involved in training your dog should use consistent techniques to help your dog learn quickly and effectively.
'Luring' and 'capturing' are 2 important words in dog training. 'Luring' means to guide your dog to perform a behaviour by using a tasty treat in front of his nose to get him to move his body into the correct position. The 'lure' is the treat. Capturing the behaviour means that you let your dog know that they've performed the correct behaviour the moment that it occurs. This can be through the use of a specific word or phrase, like 'yes' or 'good boy', or a clicker. This is then followed up by giving your dog the treat. The specific word, phrase or clicker becomes the 'bridge' between behaviour and reward, and becomes an indication to your dog to expect a reward.
Clickers are very beneficial when teaching behaviours and tricks. They are used to capture behaviours the moment they occur, and are useful as they are a unique sound that your dog will not hear elsewhere. For more information, see our article Clicker Training Your Dog.
Step 4 - Lure and Capture
Slowly lure the treat in a C-shape from your dog's nose over one of his shoulders. As his nose moves towards his shoulder he should naturally cause him to flop onto his side. Immediately capture this with the clicker or a 'yes' and reward your dog with the treat.
Step 5 - Practise and Extend
After a few goes, repeat step 2 but continue to lure your dog right over onto his other side. Once again when he performs the behaviour you are after, immediately capture it with the clicker or praise word and reward.
Step 6 - Repeat and Fade the Lure
Repeat step 3 until your dog is responding readily to the luring gestures. Start to say the command 'roll over' at the same time as using the gesture. After some practice, you should be able to eventually drop the luring gesture altogether and just use the verbal command.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon Jan 5 2026
Edited by Dr Angie Armstrong BVScDr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
