Down Command

Teaching your dog to lie down and stay in that position until you say otherwise is useful for lots of things, such as when the vet wants to check him over, for grooming and for just having him lie quietly while you are occupied with something else.

Teaching The 'Down' Command

1. With your dog in the sit position, get him to focus his attention on a treat in your hand.
   

2. Put the treat under his nose, then, slowly, move it down to the floor between his front legs.
   

3. He'll sink to the floor in his effort to get hold of the reward. As soon as he does, say 'down' and when his elbows rest on the ground, let him have the treat and give him lots of praise.

Lie and stay

If all goes well, try extending the down exercise into a stay. Step away from your dog, saying 'stay' as you do so. Wait for a couple of seconds, go back to him and reward him. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog as you command the stay.

Stand up

Getting your dog to sit up and then stand from a lying position is quite easy. Simply put a treat under his nose and raise it above his head, simultaneously saying 'sit' or 'stand', Reward him for the desired response with a treat and praise.

Multi-tasking

Practice all three exercises until your dog understands each one. Then request a sit, a down and a stay, and reward him when he does the required action. Finally, request all of these and then a stand after the stay, then reward. This usually turns out to be a game that a dog enjoys.

Warm Reminder and Advice

Instant reward and lots of confidence giving praise is essential when teaching the clown exercise because clogs feel vulnerable in a lying position.

More Dog Training