How to Teach a Puppy the Down Command

This article is a simple step by step guide to teaching a puppy the down command, providing the foundation for further obedience commands such as "stay."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Puppy or Dog
• Some good treats (a toy may work better for puppies that are not food motivated)
• 10 to 15 minutes of spare time per day

1. Start out in front of your puppy putting him/her into a sit position.

2. Show your puppy a treat and let him/her sniff it from a few inches away. Once your puppy fixates on the treat, put it in the palm of your hand, holding it with your thumb to keep it from falling.

3. Slowly move your hand from in front of your puppies head towards the floor and a little towards you to allow enough room for the puppy to stretch.

4. Your puppy should be slowly moving into the down position. Once he/she is down, say the command and reward immediately with the treat.

5. Practice ten to fifteen minutes per day split in two or three sessions and your puppy should learn in no time.

Tips & Warnings

• some puppies are not food motivated, therefore a small toy may be a better choice for some
• the more appealing the treat, the quicker the learning process
• adjust food ration accordingly
• treats can be substituted for kibble in young puppies
• Don't let the puppy get bored, you should finish the session. Keep the sessions short