How to Teach The Down Command
DOWN
There are a few methods for teaching the down command:
1) From the sit position, while holding a treat in your hand, tell the dog “Down” and motion to the dog to go down by lowering your hand or patting the ground in front of him. If he is tentative about going down, you may gently move his leg downward so that he understands your command. Once he is down, give him the “good dog” praise then give him the treat. If he does this quickly, you may pet him on the back, from his head to his tail.
2) The standard method is to hold the leash in your right hand, kneel down on your left knee and give the “Down” command in a firm voice. At the same time, slightly lift the dog’s two front paws with your left hand and pull them forward to ease him to the ground. Repeat this procedure until the dog is not resisting and praise him after each repetition.
3) The second method begins with the dog at your side in the Sit/Stay position. Kneel down on your left knee with the leash extended to the right of the dog about twelve inches and with no slack. Bring your left hand up above the dog’s eye level and slightly to the right of his head. Keep it flattened, fingers close, palm down. Give the dog the command “Down” as you begin to lower your hand to the ground. As your hand goes down, it will press on the leash and push the dog down. As the dog begins to obey more reliably, you can move to the front of the dog and further and further away. Praise him each time he reaches the ground and use a corrective jerk if he tries to get up.
Down (Motivational Method)
From the sit position, while holding a treat in your hand above your dog's head, motion to the dog to go down by lowering your hand or patting the ground in front of his feet. As your dog starts to reach for the treat, he should begin to bend his elbows. As he does, slowly move your target forward a few inches and tap the ground. If you move the target too far forward, your dog will stand to reach the target. Your dog should soon follow your target into the down position.
Repeat until your dog is moving to the down position easily.
Once your dog moves to a down easily with your target motion, you can introduce the down command. As your dog downs, say the word "Down." When your dog is down all the way, say "Good," wait a moment and give the treat. Pet your dog on the head if he is very enthusiastic.
If he is tentative about going down, you may gently move his leg downward so that he understands your command. Once he is down, say "Good," wait a moment, then give him the treat. If he does this quickly, you may pet him on the back, from his head to his tail.