Hi all, I could do with some help on training "down". I started training down when we first had Maisie, by luring her down to the floor with a treat, and then adding the down command as she is about to hit the floor, but we haven't managed to move on from the lure. Sometimes she won't even be lured down and just sits and looks at me, even with a lovely smelly treat under her nose! I've tried clicker training the down over the last couple of weeks and this seems to get her into the down position more easily, but only if there is a treat under her nose! This is the only basic command that we have struggled with. Any ideas or is this something that will just come with time?
Re: Struggling with the "down" When I was first teaching this, I would sit on the floor then get her 'down', I would say 'good down' just before treating her. She soon learnt that if she wanted the treat, she had to lie down next to me Good luck x
Re: Struggling with the "down" Hi Ternya, thanks for that. I've just been experimenting with sitting on the floor and using a tennis ball instead of a treat and so far she was gone "down" so she is given the ball. I'll try again later and see if it was a fluke or not!!!!
Re: Struggling with the "down" We're working on "down" with our 16 week old pup and whilst she understands the command, I'm wondering if rewarding her for getting down is making her think "this is good, I jump up at the kitchen work surface, get down then I get a treat"? Sarah & Rosie pup! Xx
Re: Struggling with the "down" I had a similar issue as SarahS with the down as a word as I used it for down off the sofa, worktops etc. I swapped the word to OFF for that & just use down for the down command.
Re: Struggling with the "down" Sit on the floor with your back against the sofa and your knees bent to form an arch. Have pup in a sit on your left and make your hand signal under your legs on your right with a treat in your hand, see if he goes down to crawl under your legs to get the treat. Click as you get the down and give him the treat. Don't add a cue yet. Wait until he doesn't hesitate and you can easily get repetition (don't move on until you get it), then try with your legs just crossed, but him and your hand and treat in the same place. When he is responding to your hand, do it in a few different places, then fade the treat, then add the cue.
Re: Struggling with the "down" I tried the "crawl under my leg" thing with Willow, but it didn't work - she wouldn't follow the treat. I struggled a bit at first, too, but the way I got there in the end was using a lure (a tiny bit of cheddar cheese) pinched between my fingers so she could just lick it. I put her in a sit, then put it to her nose and moved it down to the floor. She took a while to get there, but in the end, she dropped down. She did pop her bum up a couple of times doing this, but I'd just put her back in the sit and start again. It took a few minutes the first time, but each time afterwards took a little less time. She sometimes now puts herself into the "down" when she wants something. She had never done that before, so she's getting the idea. I use the cue "floor" because it's less likely for us to contaminate it by telling her to get down from jumping up / putting her feet on furniture / trying to reach work surfaces etc.
Re: Struggling with the "down" Thanks Fiona, Willow sounds like she's doing really well. That's what I did with Maisie, but she's just not interested! Even the puppy trainer couldn't get her to go down! It's the only basic command that we've had trouble with, could be worse!
Re: Struggling with the "down" Down can just be tricky. You just need to find a way to get the behaviour, mark and reward it - whatever suits your pup.
Re: Struggling with the "down" Well, the crawling under the leg wasn't very successful. She again just sat and looked at me and stared at the treat! However, we are slowly making progress by using a ball to lure her down. Thanks for your help.
Re: Struggling with the "down" Gypsy was the same. I started putting one hand with the treat in behind my back and luring with the non-treat hand. If she didn't go down I walked away and tried a few minutes later. I know you are supposed to end on success - but it worked, her down - without treat - is fine now, except that she does a little step rather than going straight down. But we are still working on doing it without the hand - she just looks at me if I use only the word :-\
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=Boogie link=topic=8594.msg123674#msg123674 date=1415889345] But we are still working on doing it without the hand - she just looks at me if I use only the word :-\ [/quote] Same with Willow. She got the sit to the verbal and whistle cues really quickly, but she still doesn't quite "get" the cue for the down.
Re: Struggling with the "down" It is a difficult one, I don't think laying down is anymore natural to a dog than it is to a lively young human toddler. Now the colder weather has arrived Molly has perfected the hover. She has her fore and back legs nearly down but makes sure her tum doesn't touch the cold ground. I ask her "Are you a Labrador or a wimp"?
Re: Struggling with the "down" You'll get there. Then don't forget to do sit from a down. It seems very different to sit from a stand to a dog...
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8594.msg123698#msg123698 date=1415893522] You'll get there. Then don't forget to do sit from a down. It seems very different to sit from a stand to a dog... [/quote] We use a different command 'Upsit'
Re: Struggling with the "down" Willow didn't have a problem doing down to sit at all. She responded to the regular hand signal, cue or whistle. Not that I'm being a smug mother or anything.
Re: Struggling with the "down" No advice, just sympathy. Molly still will only do a down for a food lure - and quickly sits up again. : Mind you I haven't consistently worked at it for ages. I suppose it doesn't feel as important as recall and stay.
Re: Struggling with the "down" [quote author=Joy link=topic=8594.msg123753#msg123753 date=1415907305] No advice, just sympathy. Molly still will only do a down for a food lure - and quickly sits up again. : Mind you I haven't consistently worked at it for ages. I suppose it doesn't feel as important as recall and stay. [/quote] ou I think you are right Joy. I'd rather have a dog that recalls than one that will lie down!!! I've contacted your gundog trainer today! Watch this space!
Re: Struggling with the "down" Bella learnt down early on so knows it but has recently started to ignore my request and hand signal and just sit there, even with high value treats. After about 4 repetitions she will sometimes do it other times not.... She might wander off.. Or do it but give me a hand tap with a paw on her way down..., What's all that about?!?! She will do the other commands we've learnt no problems?! Strange!!!!! :
