How to Teach Your Dog to do a Commando Crawl Using The ‘Crawl Command’.

Spending time playing with your beloved dog is a thoroughly rewarding experience for you both. Apart from games like ‘Fetch’, there are a number of fun activities you can involve your fur baby in a playful manner, that will help to build a strong and positive bond between you both.
Most of the basic commands and advanced dog training commands we’ve covered so far, are primarily used for control and used in public places, but there’s a number of dog tricks you get your clever canine to perform for you and your friends’ amusement.

As this command involves your dog’s belly rubbing along the floor, choose the surface you perform this dog trick wisely. Carpet, wooden floors, sand and grass are good options, but not bitumen or gravel please.
Note: This trick can be performed by puppies and older dogs alike, but if your dog suffers from arthritis, you may want to pass on this action, as your dog may experience discomfort or injury while trying to please you.

This fun dog obedience training article will teach you how to train your dog to crawl along the ground, commando style towards you, using the ‘Crawl Command‘ by utilising positive reinforcement training techniques.

The following list is what we recommend you have handy for this dog training command session:

• Small sized, soft treats that are very tempting
• Clicker
• Quite place, with soft carpet or wooden floor

If you don’t have, or prefer not to use a ‘clicker’, you can substitute it by using the word ‘Yes’, which I prefer to use, simply so you don’t have to constantly carry the clicker around with you.

Dog training essentials available from Ezydog Australia

Steps to Teaching the ‘Crawl Command’

Before we get started, it’s worth clarifying what we’d like from our dog after using this instruction.
Once your dog is in the ‘Down’ position, you want to be able to get your dog to stay on their belly, using their front paws to pull themselves towards you. Assistance with their back legs is okay, as long as one knee stays on the floor at all times’ just like a ‘Commando’ would crawl under a fence!

Crawling for dogs is something that comes naturally, and generally used when they get up to mischief, like crawling under a bed to reach a pair of shoes or crawling under a fence to show how good an escape artist they are.

When teaching this dog training command, I’m going to assume you’ve already taught your dog to lay ‘Down’ successfully.
If not, you’ll find a link to this and all the other commands in the article ‘List of Dog Commands‘.

1/ Ask your dog to lay ‘Down’, facing you.
To start with, you’ll want to be down on the floor too.

2/ With an outstretched arm, and a treat in your closed right hand, place it under your dog’s nose, so he/she can smell it.

3/ Slowly, slide your hand away from your dog, towards you. Make sure you don’t raise your hand above your dog’s nose as this can cause him/her to get up off the ground.

4/ As soon as your dog starts to shuffle, or crawl forward, ‘mark’ the event by saying ‘Yes’ as you reward with the treat, followed by praise ‘Good Boy/Girl’ with some ear rubs.

5/ Place another tasty treat in your hand, slowly shuffling back yourself and repeat the steps until your clever canine is crawling smoothly towards you.

6/ Now it’s time to introduce the verbal ‘Crawl Command’. As you repeat the above steps, say ‘Crawl’ as soon as your hand starts to move away from your dog’s nose.
Repeat this 5 times.

7/ Next, stand up and repeat the above steps standing about 2 metres away from your dog.
The treats should only be in your right hand now, which you give on each successful crawl of over a metre. Keep repeating this step, gradually, and slowly moving back further away from your clever pooch, as your dog crawls towards you.

8/ Finally, to mix things up a bit, try to get your dog to crawl under physical objects, such as a plank of wood, securely resting on a pair of stools.

This dog trick is all about the fun, so when talking to your dog you should be using your happy voice, amped up bordering on excitement.
Every time my owner does this with me he laughs, which I love, making me want to keep doing it until I get giddy with excitement.

Summary of How To Teach Your Dog The ‘Crawl Command’

Remember consistency, practice and patience are the keys with all dog training. This dog trick is all about the fun, so when talking to your dog you should be using your happy voice, amped up bordering on excitement.

Some dogs that aren’t overly motivated by food treats (rare) will almost certainly take to cooked chicken pieces. However, I would strongly suggest finding a commercial option from pet shops that will entice because apart from the expense, chicken is messy and doesn’t last very long out of a sealed container in the fridge. There are many brands and flavours to choose from these days, and many are made with healthy natural ingredients. I would also suggest using and rotating several different types, so your dog doesn’t become used to just one.

Your fur baby wants to please you and love you, so take every moment you can, playing with and loving your beloved dog. Apart from the bond you’ll create, the health and wellbeing benefits for you both have been proven to be beneficial.

Having trouble, or have a question about getting your dog to commando crawl towards you when commanded?
Leave a comment for ‘Bear’ below and he’ll be happy to answer it for you, especially if you get his attention by using his name.

We at PetsBook also recommend getting out with your dog and join a training course.
Pet Directory has many local dog training businesses listed near you with experienced and accredited dog trainers ready to help you with dog obedience and dog command training.

» List of Dog Commands

Bear

Hi, I’m Bear, the Training Manager at PetsBook. With over 20 years experience using positive reinforcement dog training techniques, I’m proud to have the opportunity to help you develop a stronger bond with your fur baby, by teaching you useful commands with obedience training.