Alternate Technique; “Down” Command
NOTE: this is an alternate method, which I recommend only when the primary method has failed or is unsuitable for some reason. For more information on alternate techniques, click here.
Place the dog in a sit (using either a command or physical placement). Kneel beside him and instruct him once to ?down.? Then encourage him to lie down by patting the ground in front of his front paws with your right hand. At the same time, push down firmly but gently on the dog?s shoulders at the base of the neck.
It may take a few minutes of patient work to get the dog to go down. When he does, praise and pet him calmly while keeping your hand on the base of his neck to encourage him to remain down. After a few moments, release him with a cheerful ?Okay? command.
Repeat this exercise. Over time, you will find it becomes easier to mold the dog into the down, using only a slight touch on the base of the neck and a brief pat on the ground. Watch for signs that the dog has figured out how to down without assistance.
With practice, you can modify your initial patting motion into a hand signal where you sweep your palm downwards. The first time he goes down without physical help (you can still use the hand signal), praise him effusively and end the training session. You want him to remember how delighted you were when he went down on his own!
When the dog begins lying down on his own part of the time, encourage this behavior by praising excitedly. When the dog requires assistance to down, give minimal praise, thus making it clear to the dog which behavior you refer. Practice consistently, your goal being to get to the point where the dog never needs ?reminding? to lie down.
