Down
Level 4: Response from a Distance

You will learn:

• Shaping​​
• Cueing
  
• Reinforcement
  

Your dog will learn:

• Self-control
• Respond to cue​

The goal of this exercise is to teach the dog to respond to the down cue when the handler is at a distance.

uses for this behavior

• Drop on recall
• Focus from a distance

tips for success

• You can really boost the dog's confidence in responding to cues at a distance by tossing the treat to the dog.

Make it a game!

• Capture downs your dog does on his own at a distance; if you are across the room and your dog lies down on his own, click, then toss him a treat.
  
• Try practicing with a baby gate or barrier between you and your dog.
  
• Tether your dog to a fence or post and give the cue from a greater distance.
  
• Practice in different rooms and at varied distances.

Training Steps:

Step 1:
Warm-up with a few repetitions of down while standing in various positions close to your dog. Click, then treat, each correct response.

Click Points

• Belly on the ground
• Response to release cue

Tag Points

• Before giving the cue, the tag point is: one half-step back.

Step 2:
Next, move out in front of your dog and cue the down. Click, then deliver the treat to the dog. If the dog does not stand up following the click, say your release word, then click. Toss the treat to reset.

Click Points

• Belly on the ground
• Response to release cue

Tag Points

Toss treat between feet

Step 3:
Repeat, gradually increasing the distance by a step at a time. For each correct response, release, click, then toss the treat.

Click Points

• Belly on the ground
• Response to release cue

Tag Points

• Take a small step back, then say "down”.
  
• Mark with release cue. ​

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