Have you ever heard the saying, "Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed?" This quote is attributed to Francis Bacon and it's never been more relevant than when training a puppy or dog. Dogs inherently know and recognize a hierarchy structure. They relate to different levels of authority within their pack-which now that dogs have been domesticated relates to their family of people, as well. The alpha is the leader at the top of the pack, while the one with least authority is known as the omega. When you have a dog, you want him to recognize that you are the alpha or leader in your family or pack.
Functionally, it is good for your dog to know and obey the down command. This can save your furniture from getting battered about and small children from getting knocked down. It's also a good start for your dog to learn additional commands such as "crawl" or "roll over" or even tricks.
Training your dog to obey the down command is actually pretty straightforward. Your dog will naturally lie down when he is tired or relaxing. So the first thing to do is study your dog and learn to recognize when he is about to go from a sitting position to a down position.
When this happens, you want to speak a specific command and use a unique hand gesture simultaneously. This gesture should be something you would not normally do, so you must make a special effort to do it. Every single time the dog goes into this position, you should clearly issue the command and make that hand gesture. Always use the same tone of voice.
After you make the command and gesture combination, and as soon as the desired behavior occurs, give the dog lots of praise. Initially, the dog won't really understand why he's getting praised. But this is actually irrelevant. As you repeat this consistently, the dog will learn to associate the praise with his action following your command. And this desired behavior will be the link to that praise.
Most dogs will not attain the correct behavior on a command when you first try. So, always be composed and clear and - before anything else - be consistent. As with any other type of training, it is crucial to minimize noise and movement types of distractions during the teaching period. Try to be alone with the dog and as far away from other people and animals as possible.
Positive behavior can also be encouraged by taking a treat or favorite toy and putting that item near the tip of the dog's nose on the ground and then putting the dog into a sitting position. This is more likely to make the dog lie down by it.
You can also try using a "wave down" motion with your hand, palm down, directing the dog toward the down position on the floor by the treat or toy. But be sure you don't reward the dog with the treat or praise until he correctly complies and lies down. This may take a while, though, so don't get discouraged or angry if the dog doesn't comply at first.
For a slow to learn or strong-willed dog, it becomes crucial to add to the training by using a collar and leash in your strategy. Try to use a short nylon or leather lead that is, optimally, about 2 to 4 feet. Place your dog in a sitting position and face him while kneeling down.
Make the unique hand movement signaling what you want, while at the same time issuing the vocal command and passing a treat or toy by the dog's chin and to the ground while slowly and smoothly pulling on the leash. The aim is to encourage the dog and not to reproach the dog in any fashion.
In those really hard situations where the dog does not do what is expected right away, kneel down and put the leash beneath one foot and then position the loop under the knee of the dog's opposite leg. Do this while facing the dog at a slight angle. The idea is to pull the lead loop with your other foot gently drawing the dog down. At the same time, you should gently take both the dog's forelegs and pull them towards you while you give the vocal command.
After the dog is correctly positioned, give him lots of praise. It doesn't matter that you initiated this movement and helped put the dog into the position. You want to give your dog that praise so he has good feelings about getting into this position-regardless of how he does it-and he knows you are pleased with him for doing it.
Functionally, it is good for your dog to know and obey the down command. This can save your furniture from getting battered about and small children from getting knocked down. It's also a good start for your dog to learn additional commands such as "crawl" or "roll over" or even tricks.
Training your dog to obey the down command is actually pretty straightforward. Your dog will naturally lie down when he is tired or relaxing. So the first thing to do is study your dog and learn to recognize when he is about to go from a sitting position to a down position.
When this happens, you want to speak a specific command and use a unique hand gesture simultaneously. This gesture should be something you would not normally do, so you must make a special effort to do it. Every single time the dog goes into this position, you should clearly issue the command and make that hand gesture. Always use the same tone of voice.
After you make the command and gesture combination, and as soon as the desired behavior occurs, give the dog lots of praise. Initially, the dog won't really understand why he's getting praised. But this is actually irrelevant. As you repeat this consistently, the dog will learn to associate the praise with his action following your command. And this desired behavior will be the link to that praise.
Most dogs will not attain the correct behavior on a command when you first try. So, always be composed and clear and - before anything else - be consistent. As with any other type of training, it is crucial to minimize noise and movement types of distractions during the teaching period. Try to be alone with the dog and as far away from other people and animals as possible.
Positive behavior can also be encouraged by taking a treat or favorite toy and putting that item near the tip of the dog's nose on the ground and then putting the dog into a sitting position. This is more likely to make the dog lie down by it.
You can also try using a "wave down" motion with your hand, palm down, directing the dog toward the down position on the floor by the treat or toy. But be sure you don't reward the dog with the treat or praise until he correctly complies and lies down. This may take a while, though, so don't get discouraged or angry if the dog doesn't comply at first.
For a slow to learn or strong-willed dog, it becomes crucial to add to the training by using a collar and leash in your strategy. Try to use a short nylon or leather lead that is, optimally, about 2 to 4 feet. Place your dog in a sitting position and face him while kneeling down.
Make the unique hand movement signaling what you want, while at the same time issuing the vocal command and passing a treat or toy by the dog's chin and to the ground while slowly and smoothly pulling on the leash. The aim is to encourage the dog and not to reproach the dog in any fashion.
In those really hard situations where the dog does not do what is expected right away, kneel down and put the leash beneath one foot and then position the loop under the knee of the dog's opposite leg. Do this while facing the dog at a slight angle. The idea is to pull the lead loop with your other foot gently drawing the dog down. At the same time, you should gently take both the dog's forelegs and pull them towards you while you give the vocal command.
After the dog is correctly positioned, give him lots of praise. It doesn't matter that you initiated this movement and helped put the dog into the position. You want to give your dog that praise so he has good feelings about getting into this position-regardless of how he does it-and he knows you are pleased with him for doing it.
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Learn how to pick the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Don't allow Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or tedious affair.. This article, Be Persistent When Teaching Your Dog The Command "Down" has free reprint rights.
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