Down is one of the most important commands a dog should master. The easiest way for him to learn it is from "sit". You can get him to lie down with a treat. We show you how to learn this command step by step.
Why do I need the "down" command?
"Down" is a command that is always needed in everyday life and is very helpful. In a restaurant, for example, it is very well received when the dog lies down under the table. It is also appreciated by other passengers on the train or bus . It is also very pleasant in hotels, at events, at the dog park, when visitors arrive or when a hyper dog simply needs to calm down.
Practicing "down" with puppies
If you have a puppy, "down" should be one of the first commands you teach him. However, remember that young dogs have a very short attention span. Accept this and play a game with him before starting another short training session. It is not important that the training session is as long and intensive as possible, but rather that it is practiced several times throughout the day. An ideal time is when the puppy has eaten after a sleep phase, has loosened up and is already somewhat exhausted.
How do I teach my dog to "down"?
A dog must be able to understand what is required of him. That's why every command should be broken down into individual steps. If it doesn't work straight away, you shouldn't think that he is doing it on purpose. Instead, think about what options you have to make it even easier for him to understand.
It's best to proceed as follows when giving the "down" command:
- Have treats ready
Have a bag of fine treats ready. They are the perfect motivation for the vast majority of dogs. That's why you should give them as rarely as possible on the side or because the dog is bored. Take the opportunity to use the treats sensibly during short training sessions. For training, it should be treats that the dog particularly likes, as this should keep his attention particularly high. However, remember not to overdo it with the quantity. If the treat ration is very generous, this should be included in the daily food ration.
- Choose the right time and place
Dogs are easily distracted, especially when they are puppies or young dogs. Therefore, when training a new command, the environment should be as stimulus-free as possible. Your own home, a quiet garden or a secluded spot in the countryside is ideal. It is an advantage if the dog has already been able to let loose and let off steam, but is not yet knocked out. This is a good time to get his attention and start training.
- Start with the "sit" command
It is very helpful if the dog already knows and masters the "sit" command. Because from a standing position, the dog would probably just lower its head if a treat is placed on the ground in front of it. Therefore, have your dog perform the "sit" command at the beginning of the training session so that its rear end is already on the ground.
- "Sit" from the "sit" command
When the dog sits, do not release the command again, but take a treat between your fingers and stand or kneel relatively close to the dog. Place the treat directly in front of his nose on the floor between his front legs. It can happen that the dog stands up, but most dogs bend their front legs and lie down. At this moment, the treat is given and at the same time the verbal command "down" is given. This teaches the dog to associate its body position with the command.
As dogs are very attentive, you should also combine a visual cue with the "down" command right from the start. Many use a horizontally held palm facing downwards for this. The advantage of a visual signal is that it can also be given over long distances without words. It should also be borne in mind that some dogs no longer hear well as they get older.
- Practice and slowly increase requirements
If the down command does not work straight away, there is no need to worry. Think about what you can improve during training. Is the timing perhaps unfortunate, are there too many distractions around, are the treats not going down particularly well or is it perhaps you? You should exude calm and confidence and not make the hand movement with the treat too quickly. Be patient (especially with puppies).
Practice daily - and if success comes slowly - then you can increase the demands. This means that the command is no longer accompanied by a treat in your hand, you no longer kneel directly in front of the dog and it must not stand up again immediately after a few seconds. Give the command from a certain distance and train it with distractions when you are out and about.
- Don't forget the release command
The first few times, you will certainly be satisfied if the dog simply does what it is supposed to do when given the down command, namely lie down. Then treats and praise are the order of the day. However, you should soon add a release command, such as "Okay". Then the dog knows when the command is finished for him. This may be the case after just two seconds at the beginning, but later in a restaurant it should be permanent. It therefore makes sense to always cancel all commands.
Video about the "down" command
Would you like to watch a video of the "down" command? Animal trainer Fränzi Lüttich shows how it works with Weimaraner dog Sky and Dachshund Polly:
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