| The down command is the next lesson to teach | | | | before you start to move the treat towards the |
| in your dog obedience training schedule. It should | | | | ground. This step is all about building an association |
| be taught as soon as you and your dog have | | | | in your dogs mind between the verbal "down" |
| mastered the sit command.The down command | | | | command and the act of him laying down.The |
| is a fundamental ingredient of your overall dog | | | | idea is that eventually, after plenty of repetition |
| obedience training program. It provides the | | | | and praise your dog will only require your verbal |
| foundation for many other advanced commands | | | | command, and not the treat in your hand to lure |
| skills and establishes you as the leader in the | | | | him down. Also, in time you will be able to start |
| relationship you share with your dog. The reason | | | | the command not only from the sitting position |
| for this is that the laying down position is a | | | | but from standing and in any situation you and |
| submissive and somewhat vulnerable position for | | | | your dog are in.When your dog is responding well |
| your dog to be in, especially when you are | | | | to your verbal command, introduce some other |
| standing tall over the top of your dog.The down | | | | variables which make the down command a little |
| command is a very handy tool you will come to | | | | more challenging. Try the command as you go |
| rely on in many situations. Popping your dog down | | | | about your daily business, around other people or |
| into the lying down position is great for times | | | | dogs and increase the duration of the command. |
| when you need to go into a shop or for | | | | Down Command Technique 2 - On Leash |
| occasions when there are small children around. It | | | | Put your preferred collar and leash on your dog - |
| can take a bit of practice to reach this level, but it | | | | I just use a nice leather buckle collar when |
| is worth the effort.Learning The Down Obedience | | | | teaching the down command.Place your dog into |
| CommandWhen you are in the learning phase of | | | | the sitting position and stand or kneel right next |
| teaching the down command, start out by making | | | | to him.Basically you are trying to guide or coax |
| it simple for your dog, then slowly turn up the | | | | your dog into the down position. How you do this |
| difficulty level. | | | | depends on the size and co-operation level of |
| Move your training sessions to a public | | | | your dog.Always say your "down" command first, |
| place.Increase the time you keep your dog in the | | | | then immediately guide your dog down into the |
| down position.Bounce a ball around your dog when | | | | lying position. Grab hold of the leash and gently pull |
| he is in the lying position, or scatter some food | | | | your dogs head down, at the same time guide |
| around him. The idea is that your "down" | | | | him down by pressing down between his shoulder |
| command will be so strong in your dogs mind, | | | | blades with the palm of your hand. You can also |
| that none of these other distractions matter. He | | | | lift up your dogs front legs and extend them out |
| can only get up to chase the ball or eat the | | | | in front of him, find the method which works best |
| treats when you release him from the down | | | | for you. Praise and encourage your dog all the |
| command. | | | | way down. Then of course as soon as he's in the |
| What you are trying to achieve with the down | | | | down position make it clear to him that you are |
| command is to have your dog quickly get down | | | | happy with him and that he has done a good |
| into the laying position, belly touching the ground | | | | job.After lots of repetition your dog will respond |
| and his front legs extended out in front.In a | | | | to your verbal command only. Then try the |
| familiar environment to your dog with no | | | | command when your dog is in the standing |
| distractions, lets get started!Down Command | | | | position and in other settings. Make the command |
| Technique 1 - Off Leash | | | | a little more challenging by adding some |
| Put your dog into a sitting position.Grab your | | | | distractions and increasing the time he is required |
| dogs favorite tasty treat and hold it a couple of | | | | to stay in the down position. |
| centimetres in front of his/her nose. Move your | | | | Whichever method you choose to teach your |
| hand straight down to the ground. Your dog | | | | dog the down command be consistent and keep |
| should follow it down (you can praise and | | | | at it.When you are happy with your dog getting |
| encourage him down). As soon as his belly hits | | | | into the down position you will probably want to |
| the ground, with his legs out in front, lavish him | | | | add a release command to it. This means that |
| with praise and give the treat.Repeat this action | | | | when you issue your down command, your dog |
| over and over in short sharp training | | | | goes straight down and is not permitted to get up |
| sessions.When your dog is "getting it" and going | | | | until you issue another command. You can use |
| down right away, you can add the verbal part of | | | | "away" or "off you go" for this purpose.Chris |
| the command. I use "down" other people use "lay" | | | | Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of |
| or "drop", just choose the one you are | | | | the latest cutting edge home based dog training |
| comfortable with and stick to it (make it a one | | | | techniques. |
| word command only). Add your command just | | | | |