Training tips for puppies!

The down command is quite easy to teach as it is natural for a puppy to do it. It is best achieved from a sitting position.

From the sit, show the puppy you have a treat in your hand and slowly bring the treat down until it reaches the floor allowing the puppy’s nose to follow the treat at the same time (do not give the treat yet).

The puppy will find it uncomfortable to try to get the treat by bending his head down and should eventually lie down to get in a better position.

When he does this, give the treat immediately and give the command ‘down, good down’.

Some puppies, instead of lying down, will stand from the sit position in order to get a better position. In this case, ask the puppy to sit again and repeat. Eventually the puppy should realise that by standing he will not gain the treat and will try something else – like lying down!

On the odd occasion when some puppies don’t get to grips with the down command then we can use another tactic:

Sit on the floor next to your puppy and have your legs out in front of you with a bend at your knees – creating a ‘tunnel’.

Show the treat to your puppy and slowly bring the treat through the ‘tunnel’ (under your legs), allowing the puppy to follow the treat and eventually have to go under your legs,  encouraging him to lie down to get there.

Give the treat immediately when he lies down, giving the command ‘down, good down’.

Repeat until he gets it!!

Keep all training sessions short and sweet.

If you have any training questions, please call Jo Raine who is our qualified behaviourist here at Grove Lodge.