Teaching The Down Command

The Down command is one of the most basic dog obedience lessons that Fido needs to learn.

It usually comes second, right behind the 'Sit' command (which is the simplest of all). 

'Down' is one of the foundations for formal obedience work, but it also comes in very useful in every day life with a dog.

Once your pup or dogs understands, and obeys, the 'Down' it gets easier to control him both indoors and out, and can be used to help him calm down or keep him out of trouble in situations such as these.....

When there's a lot of excitement, noise or children/pets running around and you need your little guy to stay put!

• When you're out walking and want to stop and talk to someone without having the leash twisted around your legs, or your arm yanked out of it's socket
  
  
• In shops, restaurants or other buildings when Fido needs to be calm and well-mannered
  
  
• As part of more advanced obedience lessons, including learning to 'Stay' and 'Come', or as part of retrieving, tracking or other 'work.
  
  
• When visitors come to your home and they don't want to be licked to death, or covered in pawprints... or you just want to be able to chat without distractions.

Of course there are lots of other times when being able to get your pooch to lie down quickly and quietly comes in handy, I'm sure you won't have trouble coming up with your own list :) 

How To Teach The Down Command

Easy steps that will help you train your puppy or dog to obey the Down command reliably.

• Start off with your puppy in the sit position, then hold a treat about 6" in front of his nose
  
  
• Slowly lower the treat to the floor in front of him, moving your hand further away as you get lower
  
  
• Simultaneously say 'Fido down' in a firm but encouraging voice. This is a command, not a question
  
  
• You want your dog to stretch forward and slide down, following the treat
  
  
• Once his tummy hits the floor give him his treat and lots of praise

A Little Extra Help.....

You can help shape your puppy or dog's response to the Down command, if needed, by using your treat-free hand to gently push down between his shoulders which will slide his front legs forward.

If he still resists, use the hand with the treat to gently pull his front legs forward while giving some light pressure on his shoulders.

Again though, only do this if Fido is getting confused and doesn't understand what you want, and only for the first couple of tries until he's got a grasp of the concept.

This isn't a wrestling match though and the pressure shouldn't be enough to cause your pup to fight it.

If you do it gently, while encouraging him to 'down' in a happy voice and reward him as soon as he is in the right position he will figure it out pretty quickly.

Remember your dog wants to please you, and to obey the commands you are giving him... but he doesn't always understand what it is that you want right away!

Here's a short video that shows you exactly what I've talked about on this page.

It will help you to make sure that you're doing it right.....

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