The 'Down' Command
Prerequisites: Leadership, Foundation , Safety Zone, Sit, Stay, Stand
Method 1:
1. Warm up with your heeling and sitting exercises.
2. While your dog is in the sit position in the heel position, drop the slack in your leash until the 'bend' in the line is
about 6 inches from the ground.
3. Give the 'Down' command as you step into the bend of the leash - in SLOW MOTION - with your left foot.
4. Apply gentle, steady, forward/downward pressure as you step. Once your foot is on the ground, stand on the
leash until the dog goes down. Praise lavishly when the dog goes down.
5. Praise and repeat steps 1 through 5 for 10 repetitions. Do NOT do all of these in a row. Mix it up with some
sit-stay practices.
Alternate method:
1. Warm up with your heeling and sitting exercises.
2. Give the sit command.
3. Kneel next your dog on your left knee.
4. Place your left arm across the top of the dog's back (with your arm bent at the elbow) and grasp the dog's collar at
the back of his neck.
5. Give the 'Down" command as you reach across your body with your right arm and gently sweep the dog's front
legs forward as you apply gentle leaning pressure into your left arm.
6. As soon as the dog is down, praise warmly, but calmly. You may need to give the stay command.
7. Walk the dog forward a few steps, and repeat.
8. Repeat 10 times per day.