How to Train your Dog

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Teach your dog to Drop or Down Command

THE 'DOWN'. This is purely an extension of the 'sit, stay', the only difference being that the dog is left in the lying down position. It is not difficult to teach a dog to lie down. They do it happily for the greater part of their lives, so that all you have to do is to associate the command with the action in the dog's mind.

I use the word 'down' as a command for a dog that jumps up at people, so I use the word 'drop' for lying down.

First try the dog by placing him in the lying down position, at the same time saying 'drop'. Command him to sit, then repeat the order 'drop', at the same time making a sweeping motion with your hand towards the ground. There is a fair chance that the dog will obey you. If he does so, repeat the procedure to find out whether this was a fluke or if he actually understood the command and obeyed it.

The dog that does not understand the command can be taught with the training collar.

Do a little heeling with the dog, and when you halt the dog will automatically sit on your left. Holding your position, run the lead under your left foot, give the command 'drop', at the same time jerking the lead. This will bring at least the front part of the dog into position and if he is not fully lying down you can push his rump with your left hand to make him do so. Keep him there, praise him for being a good boy, and then give him the command to sit.

Repeat the exercise, but this time, pause a moment before jerking on the lead in case he has learned what is required of him, and obeys of his own accord.
 

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