First, you must know that "down" is a very difficult command for your dog to learn. When your dog goes into a down
position, he is not only showing weakness to everyone in the room on command, but he can't have easy access to anything
that goes on around him... which, for a dog, is almost comparable to torture. But if you are patient,
persistent
and make it worth his while, you can get past those obstacles and have your dog laying down on command without hesitation.
STEP 1. Just like the sit, you are going to use your treat as a lure like in the cartoons when a character holds a carrot in front of a
stubborn mule. Let your dog have a whiff so he knows you have it.
STEP 2. Next you will drag the treat down in between his front legs while clearly stating the command "down". (See
image below.) With a little luck, your dog will bend forward, trying to follow the
treat, and collapse into a laying position.
STEP 3. As soon as he is down give him good solid praise. That wasn't easy for him to do. Let him
know he has pleased you greatly. (But don't get so loud that you frighten him into forgetting what happened.)
STEP 4. Repeat all of the above several times a day until you're dog is completely efficient in
laying down. Once you're confident he knows it, you can have him lay down before he gets what he wants.
*** Trouble Shooting ***
Here are some problems you might have and some answers that might help...
My dog won't go down using the lure (or) he keeps backing up.
As I mentioned before, "down" is a command most dogs don't want to do. Don't hate them for it, just try an alternative.
There is a pressure point right behind your dog's shoulders. You should feel little depressions behind the shoulder blades.
Press down firmly, but not roughly, on both sides using your thumb and forefinger to put him in a down position.
Be sure not to push down directly on top of the shoulders because his front legs will lock up.
(See an example of the pressure points below.) OR... if your dog
has a low threshold (is very sensitive) try this instead: While Rover is sitting, gently take his front paws in your hands and slowly pull
his body forward. He should plop right down.
My dog knows the command "down" but he/she only does it some of the time when I ask.
If your dog knows the command and is not obeying you, either you've trained too much and he needs a break, or he's
not taking you serious. If it's the first one I mentioned. TAKE A BREAK! Too much training will backfire. If it's
the latter, then remember this general rule of thumb... Ask, Tell, Force.
"Down?" "Down!!" "Down" with physical placement.
Also, since "down" is such a difficult command, try bringing out a treat that makes it more worthwhile, such as
baked chicken or liver. Yum! I'll do it now!
