How to train 'down'

[ailsa]

I would like to introduce some basic training with Archie in the hope that it can help his anxiety. He has already shown that he is trainable, because he will stand until we tell him he can go to his food bowl, and wait until we tell him to come through the front door, but when I try 'down' he just looks confused!

I do it with very small bits of sausage - his favourite treat - and he seems to get so excited about the treat that I can't get his attention. When I lower the treat to the floor, with the 'down' command, he sniffs away at it very excitedly, but doesn't go down, so I stand up again and repeat. After a few attempts he loses interest (this is sossidge, for god's sake!) and walks off!

Any hints, please, on how I can persevere and keep his interest, as well as reach the end goal? Thank you. ;D

[Deleted]

I do it like this...

• Get their attention with a treat holding it at their nose
  
  
• Lower the treat to the floor straight between their paws giving the down command
  
  
• They do (eventually) lie down, then give them the treat
  
  
• If they are particularly not getting the idea I get down on the floor & tempt them downwards with the treat
  
  

But that sounds like what you are doing now. What about waiting until he goes to lie down of his own free will, then give the down command & a treat? Do you think he is he smart enough to cotton on to why he is getting the treat or will he think that you are randomly stalking him with treats

[kris]

Tried all the usual tricks with Charlie - but once he realised you had a treat - he couldn't do down as he was concentrating on the treat - grrr
Once he realised he couldn't have it - he wandered off--grrr

Anyway, when at home or at dog training, if he went down: I told him he was doing good down and rewarded him. It took a couple of months but it now works. I still cant use a treat: he only gets one once he is down: I just click my fingers down towards the floor.
Thought he would never get it - none of my greys have taken as long as him - and he is smart but gives up easily.
persevere and it will come.

[ailsa]

Thank you Wanda and Kris - I'll keep persevering!

[FeeFee]

Clicker training would be great for this.

Try waiting until he's good and tired after a walk, as soon as he lies down click and throw him a treat.

Keep calling him so he gets up again, do nothing until he gets fed up and lies down again, then click and treat. If you keep repeating this with luck he'll start to get the message and lie down as soon as you show him the treat, and you can introduce a command at that point.

The other alternative would be to 'shape' the behaviour with a clicker, so lure him down with a treat and click and treat as soon as he lowers his front half, for instance, even if he doesn't go fully down. Keep repeating but gradually expect a bit more each time before he gets the click, then once he is going fully down introduce the command.

[Deleted]

I've trained Ali with the clicker - I'm a huge fan of clicker training and it's great for her, but she is very food-orientated.

You could try sitting on the floor with one knee raised, then lure Archie with food or a toy or anything he likes - offer the lure under your leg and as he goes towards it, draw it under the knee. Most dogs will go down to try get the lure as they can still see it. Also a favourite for me as you get to sit down to train!