Hello to anyone who'll answer, My little puglet is 4 months old and she was very quick to crate train and has been very good with her toilet training and only took an hour or so to teach her to sit. Great I thought but now I've come to progress onto 'lie down' well that's another story and no way not on my life will she lie down of her own accord! So any suggestions. I'm a great believer in rewarding the good behaviour and ignoring the bad well with in reason.! lol ......................................

LOL, I had this exact same problem with my 2 pugs, my girl learned sit after 3 attempts but down was impossible.  I just came to the conclusion that as they are quite a chunky breed that it is just not comfortable for them ( either that or they know a sucker when they see one!).  My bigger dogs will 'down' when they chew bones, toys etc but my girl pug rarely does and my boy I have never seen in that position.  When they do lie down they lie on their sides.  So I guess what I'm saying is.....good luck! :)

Couldn't agree more. Downs seem to be much more natural for some breeds than others and I suspect comfort is an issue too. My dog hates downs and it is not a position he adopts, left to his own devices, in relaxation or repose. He stands, sits or he curls up. I think deep chested breeds may have more of a problem, but no doubt there are many who will disagree.

Have you used the technique of luring her under your outstretched leg?

Hi thankyou to both of you for your replies. I might try that last suggestion as she does lie down regularly like you would expect in a 'down' position so it must be comfortable for her.

lol it would not be any discomfort to lie down they do it when they sleep!
A trainer told me that a dog needs to hear a command 50 plus times for it to register in to their tiny brains before it becomes a natural act.

I nearly gave up trying to get my bully to lie down from the other side of the front room, he did it all brill in front of me, but he always ended up walking up to me to get his treat! percervierence is the key!

the piccy of you dog is soooo cute! ;-)

I have tried and tried for almost 2.5 years to get my min pin to lay down.  She will curl up beside me, lay down with her chewy, lay in the sun, etc.  She learned to sit, but down is something she will not do under any circumstances.  I thought I had almost got it into her, when all of a sudden she went on a stubborn streak, and wont do much of anything at all I tell her (maybe because I am stuck with little voice, so she's like "I cant hear you....") 

And what she has learned as far as obedience, is completely different commands as to what "normal" dogs use.  To her, wait means to sit, NOW means come, shut up means bark more!  lol.  She is quite an unusual dog.  lol (or maybe I am more unusual than I thought)

Good Luck with your training!!! 

Magica,
have to disagree on that one, a down, where the dog is lying on its chest with paws forward is not the same as lieing down to sleep, where dogs tend to curl up more. Having said that there are indeed many breeds that naturally adopt a down in repose, Border Collies, Labradors and so on. It is just that I have observed with some breeds that they don't adopt this position unless they are made to for obedience purposes.

Crespin it is interesting that yours, like mine don't care to do it. Of course I make them for obedience but otherwise I find a sit works better. Some say it can be uncomfortable for some deep chested breeds, others that smaller dogs feel too vulnerable. Of course, breeds like ours have bare tummies and being sensitive souls downs on cold floors or grass are simply an ask too far!

> have to disagree on that one, a down, where the dog is lying on its chest with paws forward is not the same as lieing down to sleep

very true. Buster Will do a 'proper' down, but it's not very comfy for him, he'll only hold that postition for a few moments before changing it so both of his back legs are out to the same side and he's leaning on 1 elbow (if you get what I mean?). But, as he doesn't need it for any obedience competitions, as long as he is 'down' it works for me :)

I found it easier to train him to do a 'down' by saying 'down - goooood boy' + giving a treat, whenever he laid down on his own accord, then go back to trying to lure him into a 'down' (his own style 'down') :)

Hi ya

Mine does do down, sit, wait, paw, high five, dancing (spinning). They do learn but arent the brightest buttons! It takes lots of time.

I find food motivates (raw carrot bits). If you put carrot in your hand, under the pugs nose in a sit and drawer it forward. The second her front legs touch the ground Click and treat saying down. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Even if her bottom is in the air if her front goes down treat. Eventually she will get it and teh bottom follows.

As for the high five, my nephew taught her that and dancing is hilarious. i taught her this in 10 mins in the kitchen one sunday i was peeling carrots. As i held the carrot above her nose she started to move in a "pirouette" fashion to keep her balance on two legs. I then said "dance". Every spin got a treat and before i knew it she was dancing on command. Anything that gets laughter gets a pug ticking!!!

I am not a huge fan of dog tricks but pugs love em!!! x

Hi, thanks will persivere!
It's funny you should say that about dancing, Miley does it every day, 3 times a day. Whenever I carry her food in to her crate she dances and piroets(or however you spell it!) all the way from one room to the next. She must enjoy doing it and i must say i like to watch her! lol

Trish, put a word to it "Miley Dance" it is a fab party trick, the kids love it!!!

Haha,will do Amanda......I let you know. lol

> Crespin it is interesting that yours, like mine don't care to do it. Of course I make them for obedience but otherwise I find a sit works better. Some say it can be uncomfortable for some deep chested breeds, others that smaller dogs feel too vulnerable.

i agree, ours don't usually do a 'down' but roll on to one hip sort of thing (also what mastifflover was describing). interestingly the (less heavy) girls are more willing to do a down than the bigger chested boys. my sis's whippet will also try and avoid a down as she will avoid anything thats not cozy and padded lol.

Hurray Miley scratching at door and doing a little dance to let me know she needs to go to the toilet. Good Girl!

>Hi is there a link somewhere to a 'good citizen' website? Thanks Trish

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtraining

Barry & Margaret ;-)

> deep chested breeds may have more of a problem

I think you're right! None of ours have learnt 'down' particularly quickly, but they can do it, with a lot of practice and some high grade treats like liver or sausage. Also, for some reason, if I whisper the 'down' command it tends to work better - don't know why I'm sure.

When our biggest male managed it at his obedience class, we got a round of applause!

The froggie down is the favourite position for my lot, legs out to the sides and hocks often to the back too.  Make good rugs.

Lol at 'froggie down'!! I know exactly what you mean with that, although Stitch's favourite down at the moment is the 'upside down'. He will do a 'proper' down for a while, but then wants to clown around so over he goes onto his back waggling his legs in the air and flashing his hairy underpants to the world!!! :-)

Yipee, I am booked in for Good Citizen,Puppy with Miley. I am very excited. I knew she would be if she knew we were going!
The course doesn't start til March tho, Boo!
Think I'll take my daughter along too. I'd take one of my other children too but the class doesn't start til half eight and that's way past his bed time!
We're on our way! :D

>Yipee, I am booked in for Good Citizen,Puppy with Miley. I am very excited.

Good luck let us know how it goes  :-)

Margaret & Barry

Good luck Trish,

I didnt take mine but i think i will with the new boy so he gets some dedicated time. Let me know how she goes, they arent the brightest but always try so hard :) x

Hi Trish just for encouragement we passed the Gold Good Citizen with Granville & Morgan & the Silver with Mabel we passed the Bronze with Anita & Brogan at 15 weeks old & the Bronze with Jasmine when she was 8 years old  all Pugs :-)

Margaret & Barry

Thanks guys, I don't doubt her abilities for one minute, she is already quite good but I'm gonna go as if she hasn't learn't a thing. I'm looking forward to it! I know we'll be a great team.I'll keep you posted. :P