I have been a dog owner for years and I think I can say I am fairly experienced when it comes to basic training, well I thought I knew all the tricks until now,
I have a 11mth springer who is very good and easily trainable in most things but I cannot get him to go down no matter what I try. I have tried everything suggested including tips from this site but nothing works. I have noticed as well that one of his back legs seems to stick out a bit when he sits and also when he runs it swings out as well, do you think there is something wrong with him, he shows no signs of being in pain with it, he does lie down when he's resting and his leg looks fine so I cant think this could be the reason but why wont he do it, at 11 mths old he should be doing this command.

It is just possible that he could have a hip problem but again, sitting with a leg sticking out could just be what he likes!! Why are you teaching the down? I always teach a down stay in class but I never teach it to my own dogs! I dont want a working gundog laying down because it cannot mark a fall so well from there. Horses for courses.

A lot of dogs dont feel happy in the down stay. It puts them in a submissive position. It also puts them in a position which would make it hard to defend themselves. From that it follows that a dog must have confidence in you.

Just a few thoughts for you, John :)

To be quite honest John I dont know why, it was just one of the things we were taught at classes with our other springers and I guess I am just following this, but you are right when you say a gundog does not need to be laying down my husband says the same, I think its just the fact that he wont do it that is becoming a challenge, he is excellent in everything else so it may be like you mentioned he is not happy in this position.
If he had a hip problem would I see any other signs, I didnt think Springers particually suffered with hips, he is showing no signs of anything else.

Hi Sandie,

It might be a problem with his patella rather than his hip?????

have you tried the following for teaching down, these are the ways I use in my training classes:-

1. Sit the dog and show a treat, move this treat SLOWLY down to the floor and slightly backwards between the front legs and the dog should slip backwards into the down.

2. Sit on the floor with one leg bent at the knee, use a tasty treat and encourage your dog to crawl under the knee a few times and on the 3rd time slowly drop the knee and encourage the dog to lie flat in the floor.

3. Get someone to sit on a chair with a tasty treat or a toy and get the dog to go under the chair to chase the toy or get the treat and after 3 goes, stop him in mid flow and gently push backwards on his shoulders (not down) and drop the treat on the floor infront of his chest, this should slip him into the down because he is not excpecting to be stopped.

Just a few ideas for you.

manda
x

Sorry to be dim but what is patella, is it something to do with joints.

Knee. I'd get him checked out by the vet just to be sure - sometimes when horses dont school properly or misbehave during certain 'movements' it can be due to pain or physical discomfort. Dont see why it should be different for dog's.
Sarah.