Why Should I Teach My Dog A Down
Throughout our classes we work on the down.
Starting by simply getting them into the down
Then we introduce our play down
Then adding some duration to the down with us close by
Then increasing the distance away from them
Then adding distractions whilst they are doing their downs
Then ultimately introducing the handler being out of site when the dog is in the down.
We also encourage you, as part of your homework to get your dog to ‘down’ on all manner of surfaces, grass, gravel, concrete, carpet, wood floors, tiles.
Dogs are encouraged not to come out of the down position until the handler gives its release command.
Now why would we want to teach our dogs to ‘Down’
Steadiness, it’s a relaxing position for the down, and one that many dogs default to when not doing anything.
Manners, we don’t want our dogs to be jumping up at guests when they come to visit, so a down shows good self control and manners
Allows them to settle anywhere we tell them to, and when introducing a mat or bed in different places the dogs become used to settling in all manner of situations.
Getting your dog to settle on a cooling surface in the heat or in the shady parts of the area out of the sun.
Training the down is something you are going to need in the real world, as such it forms a regular part of our training program in group classes and private lessons. To find out more about our training visit www.brecklanddogtraining.co.uk or email steve@brecklanddogtraining.co.uk
