Okay, CoCo is pretty well trained, we've gone through basic puppy training classes, but CoCo has consistently failed one command.

"Lay"

I cannot for the life of me get this dog to lay down on command. We can "sit" "stay" "paw" "fetch' "bring" "leave it" "roll over' "speak" and "Up" but we cannot master lay. I think its more me than it is her.

It is actually quite commical when I try and train her to this command. It usually involves lots of stolen treats and a very frusterated me. I will tell her to sit and then i will pat the ground and say "lay" but she looks at me like she has no idea. And if I try to place her in the lay position, she'll reaer up on her back legs or think I', trying to play. She is too coordinated and low to the ground to force her and she ends up just rolling over.

I'm just out of ideas... This is one stubborn dog and I think she knows she is driving me crazy.

Help me...

No training question is stupid... okkkkkkkk ???
It's been a long time since I've heard this referred to as the "lay" command... I use the "down" command. And it's not an easy command to train because it puts the dog in a submissive position and many dogs resist compliance.

Make a fist with your treats so she can't steal them from you... but let her know that they are there, for sure. Have her on a leash (you didn't mention whether she's on a leash or not with your attempts). Do you have a brick retainer wall... or a picnic table... or something that you can put her on where she's not on the ground and more on your level? This is how I train it... because it's less intimidating for the dog if you are on her level so to speak. Waist high is perfect.... maybe even a patio table?

Put her on it... (this will also be good because it will expose her to a different surface...). Put your fist with treats on the *ground*... pull gently on the leash to kinda pull the dog's head down. You can use the same hand the treats are in for this... and gently push down with the other hand on the dog's rear end. All of this is done gently... not pushing hard... do not force it.

At the LEAST little sign of compliance... give her a treat and praise her LOTS....
Do it again...
and again....
and again....
for no more than 10 minutes. Wherever you are at the end of 10 minutes... stop. Try again the next day. You want her to WANT to lay down and not do it because she's forced.   This is the key to all successful training -- to inspire the dog to WANT to comply.  Make it fun! 

It's accomplishable. Some commands take longer to train, and it's not unusual for the "down" (or "Lay" as you call it) command to take longer for some dogs.

Make sure with all your training... you do the commands in different locations... and some with distractions...

good luck !!

Training a small breed dog is MUCH different than training a large breed. Pulling her down by the paws will likely only make her resist more... it's best to train any command with as little "body contact" as possible.. IMO. Sometimes with the "down" command, it can't be helped... but I emphasize GENTLY !!

I use the word "off" to indicate that I want Bailey off of me... or the furniture... or the kitchen counter... LOL

I've heard people use the "down" command for both... and it confuses the dog.  It doesn't matter which command you use for each one... the key is making sure you use different words for each desired behavior!

Good luck to you!! I think you'll find that putting the dog more at your level will be helpful with not only this command, but others as well.  With small breeds, it just works better... for me at least.  You are already asking your dog to go into a submissive position, so it's my feeling that the less intimidated the dog is... the better!

Let us know if it works, ok?  so thrilled to hear you are so committed to training your rattie !!

She's a beautiful rattie.. and you've done well with her.
Go figure the man in your life would prefer you use the word "lay" .... hahahaha

Well, you could always lure her forward with the treat and teach her how to CRAWL in that position !!!    That would be adorable!