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Teaching
your
puppy to
lie down
is one
of the
most
important
commands
that he
will
learn.
If your
dog is
in the
down
position,
it
discourages
him from
jumping
on
people
and
helps
him to
relax
when he
is
overly
excited.
It's
easiest
to teach
the down
command
after he
has
learned
the sit
command.
Start by
having
small
treats
in your
hand and
having
your
puppy
sit.
Hold a
treat
between
your
thumb
and
forefinger
with
your
palm
facing
down.
With the
treat
near
your
dog's
nose,
slowly
lower
your
hand
straight down
towards
the
floor.
This
will
lure his
head
down and
cause
him to
slide
into the
down
position.
As soon
as he
starts
sliding
down,
say,
"down". At
first,
reward
with the
treat
immediately,
telling
him what
a good
down
that
was.
Make him
stay
briefly,
release,
then
reward.
Start off
by
having
him hold
it for
five
seconds,
then,
build to
longer
and
longer
periods
of time.
On rare
occasions,
there is
a puppy
that
will not
respond
to the
above
method.
If this
is the
case,
try
this.
With
leash
on, have
your
puppy
sit
while
you are
kneeling
on the
floor.
Position
yourself
to one
side,
hold a
treat up
to the
puppy's
nose.
The next
part you
can do
one of
two
ways.
First,
put your
arm
under
his
front
legs,
lift the
legs up
and pull
forward
into the
down.
The
other
method
is to
grasp
one leg
and pull
forward
while
you are
lowering
the
treat to
the
floor.
While he
is going
down,
say,
"down"
at the
same
time.
Make him
stay and
give the
reward,
then,
release
with
"o.k.".
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