My puppy is learning commands really well. She knows her name and has learnt to sit and stay as well as any little puppy can what with all the distractions. But she's having trouble with the 'down' command. I was told to get her to sit and then to lower my hand (with the treat) to the floor and as she lies down to say 'down' and release the treat. It's not that she doesn't lie down, only that she wont do it unless my hand is on the floor. Is there anything I can do to get her to learn the command from the word or an I doing it right and I just need to persist? She's so bright with the other commands I thought she would get this one too.
Thanks

are you doing clicker training it works alot better.

but anyway, when she is in the sit put teh treat to her nose drag teh treat down her chest and onto the floor and teh allitle away from her on eth floor, it should work.

but there is another way, if you kneel on the floor and then stick your leg out to the side or infront of you so that there is space under your leg to get a puppy under it, then entice her under your leg and once she has laid down click and reward. and say the command.

i have seen this work in a few trys with larger breeds like boxers and rotties, so i dont know how its going to work witha little girl, not that teh theory isnt right, just that i think teh gap between your leg and eth floor will be too big.

I'm not using a clicker at the moment. It's not that she doesn't lie down, I'd just like to be able to use a verbal command to get her to do it rather than getting on the floor each time.
Thanks

I would say its just time and persistance - if she is reacting to the hand command then she is getting it.  Build it up so you don't have the treat to follow eventually and then stop taking your hand all the way to the floor. 

but its just time - its one of those things that some pups/dogs just need a bit more help for a while - and also it takes time to stop getting the sit first too! ;)

Whilst I agree clickers are fab you 'don't' have to use one.

Meant to ask how long have you been training the down?

Oh not long at all, only about 10 minutes a day for a week. I just wanted to check incase I was teacher her wrong as she mastered the other commands almost instantly. She's my first dog since I moved out and although I've had dogs growing up there was always someone else (my mum) to train them, so I'm taking every precaution with her to make sure I do it right. Also, one thing about training is puzzling me- with most things you use a treat in a certain way to get them to make a movement etc. But how do you train your dog to speak on command? It's always baffled me.
Thanks

LOL - not long at all then ;)
The down as I said takes some dogs longer to master than others - but it will come :)

Speak on command - I would wait a bit for this one and once you have taught it they won't shut up LOL!   Unless you teach a quiet command at the same time :)

My English Setter never got this - he isn't a barker at all so no matter how much I tried to teach him he stared blankly at me !

I think I taught this as my Gordon liked to bark so I took advantage and clicked and praised (we did use a clicker - but if you just praise and reward with a treat) - when he did it - as I said though he decided that this would be a good source of attention and treats!  But then all my Gordons have been rather noisy :)

Yeah, I will get her to do more of the basics first. Thanks for all the tips. LOL

Sounds oh so familiar!  I was at that stage with my Border Collie pup for what seemed like for ever, but of course wasn't!  Don't worry, she got it in the end and so will yours. She's now 10 months old and goes down, very quickly, at distance, without a treat and stays there until released.

I find that a lively game (lively for you as well, I'm afraid!) of "see who can get down quickest" works a treat (without a treat for you or the dog! lol).

At first on the lead, favourite toy in hand, run a few steps and then drop to the ground facing your pup.  Say "down" too. She should go down with you, so she gets the toy for a few seconds and lots of praise, then off you go again.  Keep it fun and short and add in changes of direction and vary and length of time before you drop - from quickly, to after a few moments and back to quickly again - keep her/him guessing.  Once she/he understands the game you can do it off the lead and at more of a distance and will no longer have to throw yourself to the ground too!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

you are teaching the down correctly but remember to put you foot on the lead that will keep her down and stand up straight looking over the dogs head no eye contact ,  gradually taking one step back giving the down hand signal with not to many 'downs' take step forward then give the release ie go play

If you can get away without the treat much the better as I find they are not listening to your commands more interested in the treat ..they get the treat at the end of the lesson.

Also when he is in the down just give him a little push on his back end so that he is not down in the position where he can quickly stand , more in a relaxed down slightly lying on his side. You are more likely to get him to stay in the down for longer.

Cockerpup, I noticed from one of your other posts that she was 7 weeks old old on the 5th Sept - is that right?

She's still so very young and whilst it's nice to get started early you've no need to master it all at once :)  I think you also commented on puppy nappers whilst you were out walking her - don't forget that she'll only need a few minutes formal walking per day and even then you can practise 'on lead' walking in the garden.  Take her out and about for socialisation and to give her exposure to different experiences but remember to keep the distance down for a while.

Have you enrolled for classes yet?  If not, have a look at the KC website for information on their Good Citizens Award scheme.  The sheet will give you an idea of what is included in each stage from Puppy Foundation through to Gold and it's useful to see what they expect and at what time (the easy stuff is first!!).  If you can find a good trainer they'll help with tips and techniques but also for any general training and behaviour questions.  If you let us know where you are someone on here might be able to recommend a trainer they've used.  Alternatively you can have a look at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers(APDT) site.

HTH :)

Ooh, she is young, still a small baby puppy really :)

I'd suggest going to some good puppy classes (try http://www.apdt.co.uk/local_dog_trainers.asp or also try
http://www.puppyschool.co.uk/uk_train.php)

A few tips for finding a good trainer: http://www.apdt.co.uk/choosing_dog_trainer_uk.asp

As for the down - try doing it as normal but make sure she knows the cue word "down" first.
Then, just use the word and move your hand part way down and she might do as you ask. Gradually each time move your hand less and less but continue to give food treats until it is really all understood, then you can start to vary the treats with praise and games, but still give her treats every now and then.
(In the first instance, you must associate the word with the action!) :)

Sometimes it helps to wait a dog out for a few moments and sometimes they will offer the behaviour, and if so you can then praise and give a very tasty reward at once.

but puppy class will help you with all of this :)

Have fun!

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I have looked at a few puppy classes but I need to wait until she's finished her jabs. She is definitely starting to get better with me only having to move my hand down a little before she drops. I know she's still quite young but I wanted to check I was getting it right rather than start training her wrong. I'm such a novice at this. Also pleased to report that we've not seen either of the potential puppy nappers since.
Thanks

:)

A good book for training is Carolyn Menteith's Dog Manual (Haynes!) it's really good and has step by step pictures for lots of exercises.

Not a bad price, either.

Good luck, lots of enjoyable years ahead.

Lindsa
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