Down
Level 1: Capture a Down

You will learn:

• Capturing
• Cueing
• Reinforcement​

Your dog will learn:

• Offer behavior​

The goal of this exercise is to capture a down position when your dog is naturally tired.

uses for this behavior

• Down Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4
• Stay
• Settle on a mat or in a crate
• Drop on recall
• Asking permission
• Increasing the dog's capacity to experiment and to look for new ways to get clicked

tips for success

• We call this "TV downs": You occupy yourself watching TV, but are ready to click the instant your dog lies down as they realize that you are not paying attention to them.

Make it a game!

• Capture spontaneous downs. Any time you see your dog lie down, click, then treat just as the dog's belly hits the ground.
  
• If you don't have a clicker handy, use a mouth cluck or "YIP!", then treat with food or a short round of tug or a game of chase.
  
• Be creative!

Training Steps:

Step 1:
In the evening, especially after exercise, have your dog on leash with clicker and treats easily accessible. Have a book handy for you to read or the TV on to a program you are only mildly interested in.

Tag Points

• Pretend to ignore your dog

Step 2:
Run the leash under your knees as you sit in a chair or on the couch. Give your dog enough leash to be able to lie down comfortably.

Tag Points

• Slack in the leash

Step 3:
Watch TV or read your book. Keep an eye on your dog. When he lies down, click, then toss the treat so he must get up to eat it. Continue until you have given 10 clicks/treats.

Click Points

• Belly hits the floor

Tag Points

• Toss treat to reset
• Ignore your dog
• Say nothing

Print

Next

Back to Course Materials Main Page