The 'down' command is a staple of training a dog, and is a must. This article will get you underway with your dog, on the 'down' command, and uses some of the technique taught in 'Secrets to Dog Training' by 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 suggest to you, that has so many benefits.
Check out ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ at this page now
‘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 dog over and excite his attention with a favourite treat (cut up meat, bolonga or sausage perhaps). We want to get started by having the dog facing you, standing in front of you.. Hold a reward in front of him, then move it slowly down to the ground in front of him, but far away to know he cant have it. Restrain the dog if you need 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.
Dont let him get the treat, until the dog can complete the wole command. Never reward your dog for a half done job. If the dog appears reluctant, try and coax him onto his back to get him down and reward him. Keep this up, you want to keep going until the dog learns that he is rewarded when he lies right down. It wont take long if he is in the mood for food!
Once the dog confidently lies down, 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 at a fartehr distance each time, and place less emphasis on giving the reward with each repetition. 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 ever make in yourself and your pet!
Mail this post
Recent Comments