Dog Obedience Training - The Down Command

The down command is the next lesson to teachbefore you start to move the treat towards the
in your dog obedience training schedule. It shouldground. This step is all about building an association
be taught as soon as you and your dog havein your dogs mind between the verbal "down"
mastered the sit command.The down commandcommand and the act of him laying down.The
is a fundamental ingredient of your overall dogidea is that eventually, after plenty of repetition
obedience training program. It provides theand praise your dog will only require your verbal
foundation for many other advanced commandscommand, and not the treat in your hand to lure
skills and establishes you as the leader in thehim down. Also, in time you will be able to start
relationship you share with your dog. The reasonthe command not only from the sitting position
for this is that the laying down position is abut from standing and in any situation you and
submissive and somewhat vulnerable position foryour dog are in.When your dog is responding well
your dog to be in, especially when you areto your verbal command, introduce some other
standing tall over the top of your dog.The downvariables which make the down command a little
command is a very handy tool you will come tomore challenging. Try the command as you go
rely on in many situations. Popping your dog downabout your daily business, around other people or
into the lying down position is great for timesdogs and increase the duration of the command.
when you need to go into a shop or forDown Command Technique 2 - On Leash
occasions when there are small children around. ItPut your preferred collar and leash on your dog -
can take a bit of practice to reach this level, but itI just use a nice leather buckle collar when
is worth the effort.Learning The Down Obedienceteaching the down command.Place your dog into
CommandWhen you are in the learning phase ofthe sitting position and stand or kneel right next
teaching the down command, start out by makingto him.Basically you are trying to guide or coax
it simple for your dog, then slowly turn up theyour 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 publicyour dog.Always say your "down" command first,
place.Increase the time you keep your dog in thethen immediately guide your dog down into the
down position.Bounce a ball around your dog whenlying position. Grab hold of the leash and gently pull
he is in the lying position, or scatter some foodyour 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. Helift up your dogs front legs and extend them out
can only get up to chase the ball or eat thein front of him, find the method which works best
treats when you release him from the downfor 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 downdown position make it clear to him that you are
command is to have your dog quickly get downhappy with him and that he has done a good
into the laying position, belly touching the groundjob.After lots of repetition your dog will respond
and his front legs extended out in front.In ato your verbal command only. Then try the
familiar environment to your dog with nocommand when your dog is in the standing
distractions, lets get started!Down Commandposition and in other settings. Make the command
Technique 1 - Off Leasha little more challenging by adding some
Put your dog into a sitting position.Grab yourdistractions and increasing the time he is required
dogs favorite tasty treat and hold it a couple ofto stay in the down position.
centimetres in front of his/her nose. Move yourWhichever method you choose to teach your
hand straight down to the ground. Your dogdog the down command be consistent and keep
should follow it down (you can praise andat it.When you are happy with your dog getting
encourage him down). As soon as his belly hitsinto the down position you will probably want to
the ground, with his legs out in front, lavish himadd a release command to it. This means that
with praise and give the treat.Repeat this actionwhen you issue your down command, your dog
over and over in short sharp traininggoes straight down and is not permitted to get up
sessions.When your dog is "getting it" and goinguntil 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 arethe latest cutting edge home based dog training
comfortable with and stick to it (make it a onetechniques.
word command only). Add your command just