Teach down from a stand position

[aubie]

I use "lay" for the sitting position and now working on "platz" for the standing. I was going to use "down" but I use that words in context for things like "get off the counter, don't jump" etc by saying "down" so to avoid confusion later, I'm using platz.

[Liesje]

I would just teach it how we teach puppies: put a treat in your fist and hold your fist on the ground. Eventually the dog will trying lying down and immediately open your fist. I don't think they usually sit first for this, often they will sniff and paw at the treat, maybe swing back and forth, and finally try lying down.

[Ucdcrush]

In my group obedience class, we trained this by starting the dog from walking, then lured them to the ground. They seem less inclined to sit first since they are already moving, and the fastest way to the hotdog is straight down..

[Zisso]

How would you teach down froma stand without a treat? Z cannot have treats ATM due to getting his IBD under control so everything we do is treatless.

[Ucdcrush]

Can't you just give him some of his kibble when he goes down?

Or if you dont want to give him any food, you can excite him by making him want to bite a toy, and lure him down with the toy and reward him by letting him get it.

[Barb E]

Like Ucdrush said, if you want to use kibble turn meal times into training time then let him finish his meal from his bowl.

[Liesje]

Originally Posted By: ZissoHow would you teach down froma stand without a treat? Z cannot have treats ATM due to getting his IBD under control so everything we do is treatless.

If he knows it in other contexts, maybe hold up his toy reward and wait for him to offer it.

[Zisso]

Holding his tug up and waiting for him to offer a down doesn't work. First he sits, then he jumps for it. However, this morning, I did try to use his tug between his front feet with a seperate command(platz) and it worked! We did it 5-6 times and then worked on other stuff, like heel, getting him in the correct position, etc. Thanks for all the advice!!

[bergwanderkennels]

Quote:In my group obedience class, we trained this by starting the dog from walking, then lured them to the ground. They seem less inclined to sit first since they are already moving, and the fastest way to the hotdog is straight down..

This is easy to use either food reward or toys reward for this method. This is the way I also teach it.