Obedience Training - DOWN

After you have been introduced and have practiced the SIT command, the next command to teach your dog is the DOWN command. You don't have to have the SIT command mastered but your dog should have a basic understanding of what you are asking of her. This is because the DOWN command is built off of the SIT command. These two commands are the basic ingredients to a dog’s whole obedience training program. Building off of these two foundation commands a dog will be able to accomplish many other more advanced commands and skills. Also these two commands will help establish you as the pack (or family) leader and should create a healthier happier relationship with your dog.

If you have a submissive dog the DOWN command should be more easy to accomplish because a submissive dog's instincts tells her to get as low as possible to "submit" to the more dominate dog or person. A dominate dog may resist laying down because this position is more vulnerable to her making it an uncomfortable and stressful position, especially since when you are standing tall over her when she is laying down. Either way you want to be a confident leader in your relationship with your dog so she will respect your authority. For the submissive dog your confidence will relay to her that she can trust your judgment and you will keep her safe from harm. For the dominate dog it will show her that she can relax and put down her guard because you are the "Alpha" and have everything under control.

The DOWN command is a very useful command that can be used for and in many different situations. Requesting your dog do a down when small children or elderly people are around helps make your dog’s presence not overwhelming for them. Checking out or waiting in the lobby at the vet's office is a good place to ask your dog to lay down by your feet. If you have visitors over your home or you and your dog are visitors at someone else’s home asking for a down ensures your dog is a good hostess or guest. In most situations you would call the DOWN command to restrict and control your dog’s movement or place her out of a harmful or stressful situation. Although in all cases the down is combined with a STAY or WAIT command to make the down more effective.

General guidelines for teaching the DOWN command are that you start your training by making your dog practice a down as simple, easy (familiar comfortable environment), and quick as possible (time the down is held in place). Be consistent with your verbal command; if you use the word "down" always use the word "down". Some people use the word "lay" or "drop", just pick a word that you are comfortable with and just that one all the time. Once she has the concept of what you are asking then increase the difficultly. This can be done by increasing the length of time in a down (combined with the STAY or WAIT). At first the down should be rewarded as soon as she gets all the way down to the floor, then increase the time between when the down is complete and when the reward is given. Move to different locations in your house or yard, and then in public places with a small number of distractions, then increased distractions. Distractions can be bouncing a ball while she is lying down or scattering food around her. It could be the amount of people and vehicle traffic in a public place or practicing outside the fence at a dog park. The idea behind the different locations, length of time, and distraction training is that the DOWN you put her in should be such a strong command to your dog that nothing else matters until you release her to get up. The objective with practicing the DOWN command with so many variables is that you never know when or what conditions you might need to get quick control and ask your dog to lie down and be out of the way.

Training Your Dog To DOWN - Methods and Steps

DOWN position is when the dog's belly is touching (or close to) the ground with her front legs extended out in front.

Method 1 - Front Position

Ask your dog to SIT (following Method 2 - Front Position, previous post). Once she is in the sitting position (remember to praise for the SIT) and her leash in the one of your hands with a tasty soft treat in other hand, you can start training the DOWN command. Start with holding the treat a few inches in front of her nose and move your treat hand in a motion that is down towards the ground and towards you (almost like an arc) at the same time saying DOWN. She should follow the treat with her head, keeping her backside stationary therefore drawing her body to the ground. As soon as her body hits the floor with her legs stretched out front, treat and praise with enthusiasm "Good down...good girl". Repeat this over and over again so that your dog associates the DOWN command with the action of lying down. Soon enough the hand motion or the treat will not be needed and your verbal command will be all that is required to get your dog to lay down. Also with plenty of repetition your dog will be able to go directly from a standing position to a down position without sitting.



Your dog might not want to lie down and just stay in a sitting position or she may follow the treat with her head but her behind might then go up like in a "play bow position". If your dog refuses to lie down by remaining in a sitting position you can try securing the leash by standing or kneeling on it (keeping the leash taut) and with your free hand slowly scoop the front legs out towards the front of her while moving the treat in the downward arc and saying the DOWN command at the same time, remember to treat and praise with enthusiasm once she is in the down position.

If she does the opposite by going into the "play bow position" you can again secure the leash under your foot or knee then place your free hand over the dogs behind but not touching the dog. Once you start luring her with your treat hand and the behind comes up to meet your hand you came lightly press down (the first time her rear hits your hand it may startle her) keeping her whole body in the down position, again remember to treat and praise once she is in the down position.

Method 2 - Heel Position

With your dog sitting (following Method 2 - Heel Position, previous post) next to you use the hand closest to the dog by treat luring your dog into the down position. You can either be in a standing or kneeling position when you are introducing this Method. From either position you want to take the treat, again from a few inches in front of her nose, in a downward outward arc from her, making sure to say the DOWN command as you’re luring her and rewarding once the command is completed.



If she is not cooperating by following the treat down to the floor you can try scooting her front legs out in front of her with the arm closest to her while saying DOWN then reward and praise as soon as the down is completed. Another technique is to string the leash tautly under the knee or the foot closest to her and over to the hand that is farthest from the dog. Then with the hand closest to the dog lure the treat down and away from the front of her, with your leash hand gently pull on the leash therefore making her head be pulled down to the floor, and say the DOWN command at the same time. Once she is in the down position show her how happy you are that she is down through enthusiastic praise and the treat reward.

You want to be very excited and happy with your praise - lots of “good girl” or “good boy”. I always think of it as throwing a little party for a job well done. You may think you look or are acting a little silly but your dog thrives on attention and all this positive attention will help your dog learn quickly and strengthen the bond you have with your dog. After lots of repetition with positive reinforcement your dog will start responding more quickly to your verbal commands without the treat rewards.