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"DOWN"“Down” is the command for a dog to lie down and teaches your dog good manners by putting them in the resting position. When a dog’s body is in a resting position, it’s easier for them to calm their mind as well. Think about it—don’t you feel more relaxed when you are lying down? Your dog does, too!
ITEMS NEEDED • High-value treats in both hands
• A blanket or towel for your dog to lie on, preferably one they already use
Learn this first: “Sit” (page 52) STEP 1
Lay the blanket or towel down for your dog. Put small pieces of high-value treats into both of your hands and make them into fists. Place one hand behind your back. Using the other hand to demonstrate that you have a treat, lure and call your dog over to the blanket.
STEP 2
Tell your dog to “Sit” on the blanket or towel. Once they are in a steady sit position, kneel down to get closer to your dog’s level.
STEP 3
Just like you did with the “Sit” command, hold one of your treat hands close to your dog’s nose. Slowly move your hand down in a straight line toward the floor or their toes. This technique is called “nose to toes.” The goal is for your dog’s head to follow your hand into a lying down position. Your pup may lick at your treat hand as they move downward; this is okay. Once they lie, use a marker word and give them a treat—not from the front hand, but from the hand that was behind your back. Practice this exercise five times.
STEP 4
Now repeat the exercise using the word “Down” just like when you taught your dog “Sit.” Each day, make your dog lie in the “Down” position a little bit longer before rewarding them with your marker word and treat. Once they have mastered “Down” while you are kneeling, begin practicing “Down” while you are standing up.
Next, do the hand luring gesture without any treats in the luring hand and without going all the way down to the ground. The less you use treats as a reward, the more you can use affection and petting as the prize.
SAFETY!Only practice this command once your dog has learned to gently take treats from your hand. Otherwise, they may try to use their teeth to nibble at your fist to get the treat!
TIPS
PROBLEM SOLVING • It is much easier to teach a dog “Down” after they know how to do “Sit” without always expecting a treat. Some dogs will pop right back up in a sitting or standing position as soon as they lie down on command. Try rewarding them for simply lying down for a while when you’re not in the middle of a lesson. Casually walk over to them, use your marker word, and give them a treat. When you practice the “Down” training sessions, they will start to make the connection that only when they stay in a lying down position will they receive a reward.
• It’s important to practice “Down” in different spaces and on different surfaces. Some dogs need their security blanket or towel to remember that they can perform the command in a different setting. So, if you are trying to teach your dog “Down” on a driveway or a grassy surface, start by practicing with their towel or blanket on the driveway or grass, and then use it less often over the next week.
• When a dog is following the lure downward, their backside may go up in the air like in a downward dog yoga position. Sorry, doggie, that’s only half down! Have a helper with you if your dog usually does this. Your helper can gently push your dog’s backside downward (if your dog is okay with this) while you slowly pull the treat toward you, keeping your hand along the floor. Your dog’s body should naturally lie out on the ground as their nose keeps reaching for your luring hand.
Copyright © 2019 by Vanessa Estrada Marin. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
