Dog training: 'Down'

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. 

If your serious about getting your dog trained amazingly well, in the shortest and easiest way, then the ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ ebook by professional dog handler Daniel Stephens is a must have. You wont find another way to train that has so many benefits.

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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 getting your dogs attention and attendance with a favourite treat (cut up cheese, chicken or sausage perhaps). You want to start by getting the dog standing out in front of you.. Hold a piece of food directly infron of him, then move it to the ground in front of him, but far away to know he cannot have it. Restrain him if need be. Use the 'down' command you have chosen both spoken and motioned (ie hand signal) and repeat it until your dog lays down.

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

We dont want him to get the treat, until he has done the whole action. Never reward your dog for a half done job. Often, the dog wont know what to do first off. Coax him down by hand, and reward him when hes lying to satisfaction. Keep doing this to the point where your dog knows he gets a treat when he is fully lying down. It wont take long if he is mildly hungry, as dogs usually are!

When your think your dog is lying down well, with confidence, next hold the food a couple of inches off the ground away from him. What we hope is he will lie down in anticipation of the reward!

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.

Slowly now try and reduce the dogs need for the treat for a reward, so that he respons more to the hand motion and command. Hold the treat further and further away from him, and praise him more and pat him each time he lys down, placing less focus on giving the treat. Now get him to accept your praise as reward for listening to the hand and voice command.

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. Priced at only $39.00, Its the best investment you will make in yourself and your ability to raise a dog!