teaching lay down

[blondey_76]

How did you guys teach your dog to lay down? Mason is 11 weeks now and i've taught him to sit and to bark. I just can't get him to lay down. And also sometimes when I tell him to sit he will sit and then bark. Do your dogs ever get confused? Thanks for anyone with any ideas. Christi

 

[Scorpio]

Christi, they do get confused sometimes, when I try and teach Ozzy, my rottie does all the commands at the same time its so cute, sometimes, when I ask ozzy to sit he will give his paw and do everything hes taught at once to get a treat.

The way I taught him was, in a sitting position, to take a treat in my right hand and touch his nose with the treat and say down, brining my hand from his nose to the floor. If he doesn't go down right away I pull his legs out in front of him. worked well for me.

Teach one thing at a time and take your time.

 

[cynthia76]

Yup! I did the same with Bowzer. Treat to the nose and bring the treat to the floor and then pull it away from their nose. They usually follow the treat and slide down. Say the command and praise when they do it!

I am working with Bella a lot and Bowzer will do all the commands (and then some!) as I am teaching Bella. My favorite is when we practice "shake", Bowzer will put his paw on Bella's back (he usually sits behind her). It's almost like he's saying...do this and we get the treats faster!!

Good luck with Mason!

 

[tingoddess]

down command

If the treat to the nose and down to the floor doesnt work try this.
A leash on your pup is optional. sit on the floor with your legs bent so there is a space under your knees, pass your hand with the treat under your knees and out the other side. show your dog the treat, pull your hand and the treat back under your legs slowly so the dog follows it, giving the down command. When the pup is down under your legs praise him and give him the treat.:D

 

[Willis]

What I did (ok, my mom taught me this), was to put the dog in sit, take the treat, show it to him, then using your thumb hold it under your palm--so your hand is flat, as it would be for the command. Move your hand down to the floor (saying down of course) and if he doesn't go down right away, tap the floor a bit with your hand. He should do it. My pup got the hang of it right away, now I don't even have to tap the floor, just show him the command and he obeys--unless he decides he wants to play forgetful. !

I tried the method of taking the treat, doing the motion and saying down, and if he didn't follow, pulling his front legs to the floor. It didn't work, he would just stick his hind end into the air. !

 

[Annabelles Dad]

A little bit of extra help....

If you have a problem with using the suggestions stated here. Get someone to help you. Put the dog on a leash. And get just right out of range, let them see the treat, then bring the treat down slowly, the leash will force them down into a lay down position. Then you treat them. You can also progressively treat them. Treat them for bowing first. And once they do that treat them when they go all the way down.

Hope this helps,

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