How to teach your dog 'down'

Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

The 'down' command is a staple of training a dog, and is a must. My article here will show you the basics of the 'down' command, and adopts technique from 'Secrets to Dog Training', the best selling dog training program you can get.

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'Down Dog!'

This lesson is best taught outside, in a open area your dog trusts, free from ALL distractions. An empty park, your back yard, or a unclutterd room is ideal.

Start by calling your dog to attention with a favourite treat (cut up chicken, sausage or bologna). The idea is to get the dog to be positioned standing in front of you.. Hold a reward in front of him, then move it slowly down to the ground in front of him, but far away to know he cant have it. Restrain the dog if you need to. Use your chosen down command (voice and hand motion) and repeat it until he lays down.

After he lies down, let him have his treat by moving it to him, as he is lying down.

Dont let him get the treat, until the dog can complete the wole command. Never reward your dog for a half done job. If the dog appears reluctant, try and coax him onto his back to get him down and reward him. Keep this up, you want to keep going until the dog learns that he is rewarded when he lies right down. It wont take long if he is mildly hungry!

When your dog lays down with confidence, hold up the treat off the ground and out in front of him, so he can see it well. What we want to achieve is the dog lying down, anticipating the treat!

This will confuse the dog at first but keep motioning him with hand guidance, but only reward with the treat when he is fully down.

After practise of this, start giving the 'down' command (hand motion and voice instruction) before you present the treat to lead the dog down.

Now gradually try to wean your dog of wanting the reward. You can get him to respond to a down sweep of the hand, and a 'down' command. Hold the reward further and further away from him, and reduce the praise each time as you give it to him. Get him to accept your happiness as reward for following the voice and hand commands.

You can get to the rest of our great articles and read the end of this one, at my website www.dog-hobbyist.com

Also be sure to check out 'Secrets to Dog Training' for a huge array of amazing dog training techniques, behaviour fixes and keeping/feeding/owning instructions. At only $39.00, Its the best investment you will ever make in yourself and your pet!