Mastering the 'down dog' command
The 'down' lesson is a must for any well trained dog. This article will help you sucessfully learn your dog to go 'down boy!' and uses some of the ideas from 'Secrets to Dog Training' by dog handler Daniel Stephens.
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. There is no other way to train that I can recommend 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, or your back yard is ideal.
To start with, gain your dogs attention with a favourite reward such as cut up cheese, meat cubes or sausage. The idea is to get the dog to be positioned standing in front of you.. Hold a piece of the treat in front of his nose, then move it slowly down to the ground in front of him, but far away to know he cannot have it. Try and restrain him if you have to. Next say your desired command (voice and hand motion) and repeat it until he lies down.
After he lies down, let him have his treat by moving it to him, as he is lying down.
It is preferable for him to not get the food, until he has finished the whole command. Dont reward him for a half job. If the dog appears reluctant, try and coax him onto his back to get him down and reward him. 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 in the mood for food!
When your dog lays down with confidence, hold up the treat off the ground and out in front of him, so he can see it well. We hope that he learns to lie down in anticipation of getting the reward!
This will most likely confuse him initially, but again motion him with guidance, and reward on FULL completion of the lie down manoeuver.
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. Get him to accept your praise as reward for following 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 ever make in yourself and your new dog!
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