DownDog lies down with elbows on the ground
Harder than it looks, because lying down is a vulnerable position. A dog that is unsure of you or the floor will resist. Use a soft surface first, and never push them down.
Also known as: Lie Down, Settle
At a glance
- Tier
- 1 · Basic
- Time to fluency
- 2–5 weeks
- Practice
- 5× per week, 5 min each
- Equipment
- Small soft treats, A non-slip surface
Prerequisites
Your dog should know these words first:
How to teach down
Lure
From a sit, treat straight down to the floor between the paws
- Straight down, then a little out toward you along the floor
- Go slowly. Losing the nose loses the dog
- Mark elbows touching, not the head dipping
- Reward on the floor so they stay down
- Carpet or grass, not slick tile
Hand Signal
Flat palm sweeping downward
- Shrink the lure a few inches per session
- A partial dip still earns a reward while you fade
- Stand fully upright as soon as you can. Leaning over pressures the dog
Verbal Cue
Calm, low word, then the gesture
- Low and calm beats loud. Volume reads as pressure here
- Wait a full 3 seconds before helping
- Practise from standing as well as from a sit
Success criteria
- Unlearned
- No down on cue
- In progress
- Downs on the word alone, from sit and from standing
- Mastered
- Downs on the word outdoors and holds it through a passing distraction
Common mistakes
- Pushing the shoulders down, which teaches the dog to brace
- Practising on slippery floors where the dog cannot get purchase
- Looming over the dog while cueing
- Rewarding a hover. Elbows must be down