"Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed" was a noteworthy saying of Francis Bacon. This idea is nowhere more on target than when it comes to teaching dogs. Dogs will have a natural inclination to seek out and stick with a chain of command structure with a leader (alpha) at the uppermost of the pack and all the way down to an omega at the bottom. That is why the 'Down' command is certainly helpful for supporting your status as alpha.
When a dog has learned the down technique and rests in this position, you won't have to worry about children getting bowled over or furniture getting jostled about. It also forms the building blocks for additional commands you may want to teach your dog-such as "sit," "stay," "roll over," or even tricks.
It is fortunate that such behavior is more often than not quite uncomplicated to train. That is why it is paramount to make use of such spontaneous behavior when possible. You can do this through keeping an eye on the dog and reacting when there is a unambiguous change from standing to a sitting position orsensations4 from a sitting position to a down position.
When this happens, you want to speak a specific command and use a unique hand gesture simultaneously. This gesture should be something you would not normally do, so you must make a special effort to do it. Every single time the dog goes into this position, you should clearly issue the command and make that hand gesture. Always use the same tone of voice.
Of course, the dog is already on his way to going into the down position when you give the command, and initially he won't know what you mean. But as soon as that down position is completed, you should lavish the dog with praise and attention. Over time and with specific repetition, the dog will learn to associate the praise with the words and action being completed. And you will associate the command with the positive behavior with the praise for the dog.
Most dogs will not achieve the correct behavior on a command when you first try. So, always be patient and clear and - first and foremost - be consistent. As with any other type of training, it is important to eliminate noise and motion types of distractions during the training period. Seek being alone with the dog and as far away from other voices as humanly possible.
Another way to help your dog learn the down command and reward him is to do the following. When your dog is in a sitting position, place a toy or treat on the ground right near the front of the dog's nose where he will naturally want to lie down to engage with it. At the same time, simultaneously give the down command and then reward the dog with praise when he complies.
Helping to focus your dog's attention with the toy or snack, use a 'waving down' hand movement, with your palm towards the floor position. Make sure to refrain from rewarding any dog with praise or a treat until the behavior is achieved and exactly correct. Be that as it may, if things don't go well, be sure not to become upset with the dog.
Some dogs require complementary training with a leash and collar to assist. To do this, get a short leather or nylon leash-a maximum of 4 feet long. Place the dog in the sitting position and kneel so you are in front of the dog facing him.
Now simultaneously make your distinct hand gesture and issue your voice command while moving the toy or treat from a position by the dog's chin slowly bringing it down to the ground. At the same time, slowly and gently pull on the leash to encourage the dog to go down. Do not tug or pull at the leash or make this a negative experience for the dog in any way.
Sometimes a dog simply will not get it. So here's another thing to try. Loop the leash around one of the knees on the dog's hind legs. Bring the other end of the leash under your foot (on the opposite side) where you can move it with your foot. While giving the command and the gesture, slide the leash with your foot so it buckles the dog's hind knee and gently pull the dog's two front legs toward you so the dog gently slides into the down position.
When the dog is in the proper position, you should praise the dog profusely even though you were the one who initiated the movement and not the dog. You always want the dog to correlate such a position with gratifying feelings: both his feelings and yours.
When a dog has learned the down technique and rests in this position, you won't have to worry about children getting bowled over or furniture getting jostled about. It also forms the building blocks for additional commands you may want to teach your dog-such as "sit," "stay," "roll over," or even tricks.
It is fortunate that such behavior is more often than not quite uncomplicated to train. That is why it is paramount to make use of such spontaneous behavior when possible. You can do this through keeping an eye on the dog and reacting when there is a unambiguous change from standing to a sitting position orsensations4 from a sitting position to a down position.
When this happens, you want to speak a specific command and use a unique hand gesture simultaneously. This gesture should be something you would not normally do, so you must make a special effort to do it. Every single time the dog goes into this position, you should clearly issue the command and make that hand gesture. Always use the same tone of voice.
Of course, the dog is already on his way to going into the down position when you give the command, and initially he won't know what you mean. But as soon as that down position is completed, you should lavish the dog with praise and attention. Over time and with specific repetition, the dog will learn to associate the praise with the words and action being completed. And you will associate the command with the positive behavior with the praise for the dog.
Most dogs will not achieve the correct behavior on a command when you first try. So, always be patient and clear and - first and foremost - be consistent. As with any other type of training, it is important to eliminate noise and motion types of distractions during the training period. Seek being alone with the dog and as far away from other voices as humanly possible.
Another way to help your dog learn the down command and reward him is to do the following. When your dog is in a sitting position, place a toy or treat on the ground right near the front of the dog's nose where he will naturally want to lie down to engage with it. At the same time, simultaneously give the down command and then reward the dog with praise when he complies.
Helping to focus your dog's attention with the toy or snack, use a 'waving down' hand movement, with your palm towards the floor position. Make sure to refrain from rewarding any dog with praise or a treat until the behavior is achieved and exactly correct. Be that as it may, if things don't go well, be sure not to become upset with the dog.
Some dogs require complementary training with a leash and collar to assist. To do this, get a short leather or nylon leash-a maximum of 4 feet long. Place the dog in the sitting position and kneel so you are in front of the dog facing him.
Now simultaneously make your distinct hand gesture and issue your voice command while moving the toy or treat from a position by the dog's chin slowly bringing it down to the ground. At the same time, slowly and gently pull on the leash to encourage the dog to go down. Do not tug or pull at the leash or make this a negative experience for the dog in any way.
Sometimes a dog simply will not get it. So here's another thing to try. Loop the leash around one of the knees on the dog's hind legs. Bring the other end of the leash under your foot (on the opposite side) where you can move it with your foot. While giving the command and the gesture, slide the leash with your foot so it buckles the dog's hind knee and gently pull the dog's two front legs toward you so the dog gently slides into the down position.
When the dog is in the proper position, you should praise the dog profusely even though you were the one who initiated the movement and not the dog. You always want the dog to correlate such a position with gratifying feelings: both his feelings and yours.
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