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Down Placement
Again, as with the sit placement, we are going to assume that your dog knows nothing. Heel your dog, ask him to sit. Keep yourself in Heel position, the tendency is to get in front of the dog. Give the DOWN command and run your left hand down your dogs left shoulder to his left leg. At the same time, run your right hand down his right shoulder to his right leg. Grab both ‘ankles’ and pull forward to place him in the down position. If necessary, use your left knee to guide the back down. You want to avoid stepping in front of him and pulling him down. You have no control over their bodies and they can escape easily. Once they are down, you can step on the leash clip and stand back up to hold them there. If they attempt to get up while you are standing on the leash clip, simply push between his shoulders and his balance will send him back down.
Down is a difficult command for some dogs to swallow. In dog, alpha-dog, language, laying down at another’s insistence, is a form of submissive behavior. When you ask your dog to lie-down, on command, you are assuming the alpha position. In most homes, that title belongs to the dog! You may find this a hard battle. Some dogs squirm, struggle, nip, bark, cry and even bite to attempt to keep power. You must win, so please ask for advice if your dog gets unruly. Adults should teach this command initially. Once the battles have been fought and won, children can participate. Dogs will accept adults as alpha, but strong headed dogs will fight being dominated by a child.
DRILL
Heel, sit, say DOWN, place them down, hold position 30 seconds, praise, say SIT, pull them back up to a Sit position -- repeat 3 times, resume heeling and repeat again.
Down Correction: Once your dog understands what Down means, you can begin to expect it of him.
1. Say Down
2. Count “one Mississippi”
3. If there is little or no response, tighten leash to form a contact.
4. Choose method from the following depending on the character of your dog.
a. grasp leash an inch from the clip and give a sharp downward jerk while reissuing the command. Step on clip in necessary to maintain position.
b. stand in an upright position, form a contact, step on the lead near the clip, allow your foot to pull him down while you stay in an upright position. Step on clip if necessary to maintain position.
c.* Stand next to your dog with his and your feet in perfect alignment. Separate your legs shoulders width. Place your hands 6” away from the clip. Say Down. If little or no response, move your hands in toward his cheek for momentum and pull hard and fast toward your outward right foot. This will pull him off balance sideways and cause him to fall on his side. Step on the clip.
* only for truly dominant or larger dogs. Makes a firm point so use only a last resort.
Intro to Practical Application Obedience / Attention Training / Heel Command & Sit Placement / Automatic Sit with Heel / Sit Stay / Down Placement / Sit Stay 6' / Sit Stay 10' / Come and Sit / Finish Command