I taught "down" from "sit" by using a treat as a lure.
Kneel down on the floor so you're down at his level. And have him start in a "sit" position.
Hold the yummy stinky treat at the level of the dog's nose, then move your hand slowly straight down, as if you were drawing a line from nose to the ground between his front feet. The nose will follow, forcing him into a down. When he gets there, give him the treat and praise.
If he stands up to try to get the treat as you are lowering it, you have the treat too far forward ahead of him. The treat should be so close to him that he almost has to back up to get it. That will help force him into the down.
If you have to "help" him into the down, I would recommend gently lifting a front paw to help him go down.
Pressing on his shoulders to try and push him into a down will have the opposite effect---he will just push back against the force.
From the down position, you can lead him back up into sit by simply raising the treat straight up and back-- the nose follows, raising the head. You can keep going from "sit" to "down" and back---it's puppy push-ups!
Hope that helps.
Kneel down on the floor so you're down at his level. And have him start in a "sit" position.
Hold the yummy stinky treat at the level of the dog's nose, then move your hand slowly straight down, as if you were drawing a line from nose to the ground between his front feet. The nose will follow, forcing him into a down. When he gets there, give him the treat and praise.
If he stands up to try to get the treat as you are lowering it, you have the treat too far forward ahead of him. The treat should be so close to him that he almost has to back up to get it. That will help force him into the down.
If you have to "help" him into the down, I would recommend gently lifting a front paw to help him go down.
Pressing on his shoulders to try and push him into a down will have the opposite effect---he will just push back against the force.
From the down position, you can lead him back up into sit by simply raising the treat straight up and back-- the nose follows, raising the head. You can keep going from "sit" to "down" and back---it's puppy push-ups!
Hope that helps.