Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=CDM link=topic=8594.msg136647#msg136647 date=1421099284] After about 4 repetitions she will sometimes do it other times not.... She might wander off.. [/quote] If you ask her 4 times, and she does it once, she has learned that 75% of the time down doesn't mean down?
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8594.msg136650#msg136650 date=1421099803] [quote author=CDM link=topic=8594.msg136647#msg136647 date=1421099284] After about 4 repetitions she will sometimes do it other times not.... She might wander off.. [/quote] If you ask her 4 times, and she does it once, she has learned that 75% of the time down doesn't mean down? [/quote] Hmmmm true, should I use another word and start again or just don't click and reward until she does it?! She used to do it straight away and I practiced it quite a lot so not sure what's happened there?!
Re: Struggling with the "down" I saw somewhere an idea for 'capturing' down with a clicker, specifically for small dogs for whom the luring doesn't work as they're so close to the ground anyway ;D ;D It recommended shutting yourself in the bathroom with your dog (assuming at least one of your bathrooms is smallish!) and reading a book (or the forum in your tablet) until the dog gets bored and lies down, then click and treat, repeat etc ect and then introduce the cue. Haven't tried it, but it seems like a useful alternative. I do think 'down' isn't something that comes easily to an alert lab (who can smell the treats). Collies and other herding breeds drop into a down at the drop of a hat. Labs usually seem much happier in a sit, unless truly chilling out
Re: Struggling with the "down" If she used to do it, but doesn't now....something has gone wrong. It's possible that you didn't isolate your cue (through proofing) and she didn't understand your cue as well as you thought. So perhaps she thought the cue was when you did your hand signal in the kitchen, but then didn't understand it in the front room, or when you had a green and not white shirt on. Or other members of the family have casually used the cue "down" but then ignored her, or it's been used when she has jumped up - so doesn't mean "down" at all then. And so on. It is very, very easy to underestimate how careful you have to be to check the dog really understands the cue. If you have now added to that by repeating the cue and she largely ignores it, I'd start again, yes.
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8594.msg136653#msg136653 date=1421100819] If she used to do it, but doesn't now....something has gone wrong. It's possible that you didn't isolate your cue (through proofing) and she didn't understand your cue as well as you thought. So perhaps she thought the cue was when you did your hand signal in the kitchen, but then didn't understand it in the front room, or when you had a green and not white shirt on. Or other members of the family have casually used the cue "down" but then ignored her, or it's been used when she has jumped up - so doesn't mean "down" at all then. And so on. It is very, very easy to underestimate how careful you have to be to check the dog really understands the cue. If you have now added to that by repeating the cue and she largely ignores it, I'd start again, yes. [/quote] EXCELLENT points Julie...dogs don't generalize... - note to self - change my shirt.... ;D ;D ;D
Re: Struggling with the "down" I think "down" is one that easily gets "poisoned" by people using it to say "down" for jumping up, etc/ we use "lie down", which seems to work for us.
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=Lisa link=topic=8594.msg136658#msg136658 date=1421113905] I think "down" is one that easily gets "poisoned" by people using it to say "down" for jumping up, etc/ we use "lie down", which seems to work for us. [/quote] I specifically chose the word "floor" for this reason (although the verbal cue is something I need to work on - it's more about the hand signal at the moment). "Down" is far too easy to contaminate.
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=sunsetpines link=topic=8594.msg136657#msg136657 date=1421109204] [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8594.msg136653#msg136653 date=1421100819] If she used to do it, but doesn't now....something has gone wrong. It's possible that you didn't isolate your cue (through proofing) and she didn't understand your cue as well as you thought. So perhaps she thought the cue was when you did your hand signal in the kitchen, but then didn't understand it in the front room, or when you had a green and not white shirt on. Or other members of the family have casually used the cue "down" but then ignored her, or it's been used when she has jumped up - so doesn't mean "down" at all then. And so on. It is very, very easy to underestimate how careful you have to be to check the dog really understands the cue. If you have now added to that by repeating the cue and she largely ignores it, I'd start again, yes. [/quote] EXCELLENT points Julie...dogs don't generalize... - note to self - change my shirt.... ;D ;D ;D [/quote] Ahhhhhhhh yes - I use down when she gets on the coffee table / sofa etc so I've clearly confused her!!! Duh!!!!!!!! And yes usually train in the kitchen!!! Snow bunny good idea, I'll start agin with floor. Can I use the same hand signal as before? I don't use a hand signal for get off my lovely coffee table!!! Just down Update!!!!! I usually do it in the kitchen - Woden floor...l just tried in the living room using same hand signal without the word and she did it instantly, several times so maybe she didn't want to get down on a wooden floor anymore either!!!! I'm a mean mum!!!!
