Dog Training Guide › Grade 1 Basics
How to teach your dog "Down"
A calm position that settles excitement and sets up many tricks.
Learn it in the game
Difficulty ★ · In the game it takes about 2 sessions (1–2 minutes each).
Teach your real dog
- Ask for a sit first
- Lower the treat straight from the nose to the floor
- Draw it slightly forward along the floor
- Click when the elbows touch the floor
Common mistake
Dropping the treat too fast makes the dog stand up instead.
Caution
Keep sessions under 5 minutes. Stop if your dog is tired or uninterested and try again later. Even shorter for puppies and seniors.