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The ‘down’ lesson is a must for any well trained dog. This article will get you underway with your dog, on the ‘down’ command, and shows some of the techniques taught in ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ by Daniel Stephens.

If your serious about getting your dog trained well, in the shortest and easiest way, then the ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ ebook by professional dog handler Daniel Stephens is a must have. There is no other way to coach your dog that I can recommend so whole heartedly.

Check out ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ at this page now

‘Down Dog!’

This lesson is best taught outside, in a open area your dog trusts, free from ALL distractions. An empty park, or your back yard is ideal.

Start by getting your dog’s attention and attendance with a preferred reward (diced up meat, cheese or sausage perhaps). You want to start by getting the dog standing out in front of you. Take a treat, hold it at his nose, then move it slowly down to the ground in front of him, but far enough away so he knows he cant have it yet. Restrain him if need be. Use your selected ‘down’ command, voice and hand motion is best, and repeat it until he lays down for you.

After he lies down, let him have his treat by moving it to him, as he is lying down.

It’s best to not let him get the treat, until he has completely done the down part. Don’t offer him the treat for a job half done. If your dog doesn’t want to go down, persuade him gently by pushing on his back, then treat him when he’s down fully. Keep doing this to the point where your dog knows he gets a treat when he is fully lying down. It wont take long if he is mildly hungry!

Once you feel that your dog is going well and lying down with confidence, hold the reward off the ground away from him. We hope he will learn to lie down, anticipating the treat!

Chances are this might get him confused at first, but guide with your hand, pushing him down gently and giving the treat when he does well.

After practice of this, start giving the ‘down’ command (hand motion and voice instruction) before you present the treat to lead the dog down.

Now gradually try to wean your dog off wanting the reward. You can get him to respond to a down sweep of the hand, and a ‘down’ command. Hold the treat further and further away from him, and praise him more and pat him each time he lies down, placing less focus on giving the treat. Get him to accept your praise as reward for obeying the hand and voice commands you give.

You can get to the rest of our great articles and read the end of this one, at my website www.dog-hobbyist.com

Also be sure to check out ‘Secrets to Dog Training‘ for a huge array of amazing dog training techniques, behaviour fixes and keeping/feeding/owning instructions.