Most people think crawl is too tricky for their dog. But dogs love challenges when they’re broken into small steps. Crawl is more than a cute trick. It builds control, focus, and muscle strength.
You don’t need fancy tools or a big space. You just need a clear plan, patience, and a few minutes each day. Once your dog gets it, the results will feel exciting. You’ll see their body move in ways that show true control.
Crawl helps your dog slow down and focus. Most tricks make dogs bounce or jump. But crawl does the opposite. It teaches them to move low and steady.
This matters for many reasons. It trains the brain and the body. It also strengthens their shoulders, hips, and back legs. You’ll notice them move smoother over time.
Crawl also builds better bond between you and your dog. It requires trust. Your dog needs to listen closely and move gently. That kind of teamwork makes a difference in other parts of training too.
And here’s a small secret—dogs enjoy it. Once they understand the goal, they keep trying to get it right. That’s the kind of mental workout your dog needs.
Teaching Dogs to Crawl
Don’t rush. This is a slow skill by design. Your dog will take time to build the control needed. Below are the steps to follow. Each one adds to the next.
Master the Down Position
Crawl training starts with one thing—your dog must hold a solid down. If your dog pops up after just a second, pause here. Don’t move on. Fix the down first.
Find a soft, quiet space with few distractions. A carpeted room or grassy yard is perfect. Ask your dog to lie down. Keep your voice calm and clear.
The moment your dog goes down, count to two silently. Then praise and give a small treat. This helps your dog link the action to the reward.
Now we start testing. Ask for a down again. But this time, wait three seconds before you reward. Next time, try five seconds. Then stretch it to ten. Always reward your dog while they’re still lying flat.
If your dog gets up before the reward, don’t scold. Say “nope,” reset gently, and try again. The message is simple: stay down until I say otherwise.
You want your dog to hold that down without shifting, creeping forward, or rising up. Their chest should touch the ground. Their legs should stay tucked or stretched in a relaxed way. No movement.
Add distractions little by little. Take a step back, then return. Drop a small toy nearby. Clap your hands once. Can your dog stay down?
If not, go back to shorter times and less distraction. If yes, praise like it’s a big deal.
Repeat this process daily. Two or three five-minute sessions each day are enough. Don’t overtrain or your dog will check out.
Once your dog can lie down and hold it without help, you’re ready. Without this step, crawl will fall apart fast. But once this is solid, everything that comes next gets much easier.
Use Food to Lure the Crawl
Start with your dog in a calm down. Make sure they’re not tense. You want their body soft, steady, and still.
Kneel beside them. Hold a treat in your fingers. Let them smell it, but don’t give it yet. Their eyes should lock on.
Now move your hand just a few inches forward. Keep it low—right at their nose level or a bit lower. This matters more than you think. If the lure is too high, they’ll stand.
Move your hand slowly. You want your dog to reach forward without lifting their belly. If they lift their chest or start to rise, stop. Say “nope,” pause, and place them back in a down.
Try again, slower and lower.
Your dog may move one paw. That’s progress. Reward that tiny crawl forward. Don’t wait for a full body slide yet.
The goal is tiny forward motion. Elbows pulling forward. Chest still on the ground. Hind legs following slowly.
Don’t rush. You’re building control, not speed.
Repeat this in 2-minute sessions. Then take a break. Come back later.
If your dog gets frustrated, end on a small win. Let them crawl one inch and praise a lot. Quit while the energy stays positive.
If your dog tries to walk, your hand is too fast. If they quit looking, you might need a smellier treat. If they freeze, try a smaller goal. Maybe just a head stretch forward. Then build from there.
Keep every movement slow. Keep your voice calm. Make every reward clear and exact.
Once your dog starts to move forward in a straight line, you’re ready to go to the next step. But don’t rush there. Luring is how they learn the feel of crawling. It’s where muscle memory begins.
Break It Into Inches
This step is where most people mess up. They want a full crawl right away. That’s not how dogs learn. Crawl needs to be built in tiny pieces.
Your goal is not one foot. It’s not six inches. Start with half an inch.
Watch your dog closely. The first time they shift an elbow forward, reward it. Don’t wait. That small shuffle is gold.
Two elbow shuffles? That’s a big deal. Reward again. Make it clear that forward motion—while staying flat—is what earns the prize.
Some dogs crawl by dragging their elbows. Some pull with their chest. Others slide using their rear legs. Let your dog figure it out. Don’t correct the style, just reward the effort.
Now build in small layers. If your dog crawled one inch yesterday, aim for two inches today. Then four. Then six.
Resist the urge to jump steps. If you try to go from two inches to two feet, you’ll break the pattern. Your dog will get confused, stand up, or freeze. Stay in the inch zone until they’re confident.
Always reward better crawls, not just longer ones. Is your dog staying low? Moving smoothly? Not lifting their belly? That matters more than the distance.
Slow and steady gives your dog real control. Once they have that, longer crawls become easy.
Keep these sessions short. Two or three minutes at a time. That’s it. Quit while your dog is doing well.
When you build slow, the skill sticks longer. That’s what you want.
Add a Cue Word
Once your dog can crawl a few inches with no help, it’s time to add the word.
Pick one word. The best one is “crawl.” It’s short, clear, and easy to remember.
Timing matters here. Don’t say the word before they move. Don’t say it after they stop. Say it as they start crawling forward.
So as soon as your dog begins that first motion—say “crawl” in a clear, firm voice. Then reward as normal.
Repeat that in the next few sessions. Say “crawl” each time they begin to move. This builds the link between the action and the word.
Now, fade the lure slowly. Move your hand less. Keep it lower. Use a treat in your palm, but don’t drag it too far.
Your voice starts to take over. Soon your dog will hear “crawl” and begin to slide forward without your hand leading them.
If they don’t respond at first, that’s fine. Add the lure back in. Help them a few more times.
Then try again with just the word.
This is the turning point. Once your dog starts crawling on cue, everything changes. Now the skill becomes real.
The goal is not just crawling—but crawling when asked. That’s what makes it a true behavior.
Use Your Body as a Tunnel
Now it’s time to make it fun. This step boosts skill, focus, and energy all at once.
Sit on the floor. Bend your knees. Keep your feet flat on the ground. You’ve now made a low tunnel with your legs.
Put your dog in a down in front of your knees. Hold a treat under your bent leg and lure them forward.
Your dog will need to crawl under your leg to get the treat. This keeps their body low the whole time.
If they try to stand, they can’t. Your leg blocks the way. This teaches them to stay flat without you having to correct them.
Once your dog crawls under your legs, reward big. Praise with energy. Give the treat. Act like they just won a prize.
Then reset and go again. Make it a game. Dogs love patterns, and this one is simple and fun.
As they get better, make the tunnel longer. Use both legs. Then try using a chair, a table, or a low pole.
These tunnels are more than fun. They create real focus. They prevent bad habits. They keep your dog excited.
This step is also great for dogs who get bored. It breaks up the work. It turns crawl into a challenge.
And when training becomes a game, your dog gives full effort.
Trouble? These Fixes Help Fast
Your dog may try to stand. That means you’re moving your hand too fast or too high.
Lower the lure. Slow down your motion. Keep your tone calm and steady.
If your dog quits or gets stuck, go back to shorter crawls. Build trust again. Then go forward.
If your dog crawls crooked, that’s normal. Let them figure it out. Over time their crawl gets straighter.
Dogs with long legs may struggle at first. Be patient. They need more practice to stay low.
If your dog loses interest, switch to short sessions. Always end on success.
Your dog can crawl across the room. But don’t push too far too fast.
Add a few inches each day. Set small goals.
Crawl one foot? Great. Two feet tomorrow. Four by the weekend.
Change the setting. Try on a rug. Try on grass. Try indoors and outdoors.
Use treats some days, and praise on others. Keep things fresh.
Add distractions. Crawl with a toy nearby. Crawl while someone walks past. That builds real focus.
Make it fun. End with a game of tug or fetch.
Repetition locks in skill. But only if it’s clear and consistent.
Keep using the word “crawl.” Don’t switch cues.
Reward the best crawls, not just the early ones. This teaches your dog that effort matters.
Practice three to five times a week. One to two minutes per session is plenty.
Always stop before your dog gets tired or bored. Leave them wanting more.
You’ll start to see crawl become second nature. Your dog will slide forward as soon as you say the word.
That’s your win. That’s the payoff.
Crawl looks cute, yes. But it gives your dog more than that.
It builds patience, confidence, and control. It makes their body stronger and their mind sharper.
It deepens your bond. Your dog looks to you for each cue, and you guide them with calm hands and voice.
You worked together. You built something.
That feels good—and your dog feels it too.
Want more?
Once your dog can crawl, you can chain it with other tricks. Try crawl into a roll. Or crawl under chairs. Or crawl into their bed when told.
The skill opens doors. Your dog is learning. And you’re leading the way.
Keep going. There’s more to discover. But for now—crawl complete.
