A flat hand
This is the most effective gesture for getting your dog to lay down. Loosen those joints because when you give this command, you'll need to start with your hand held high but then it will swoop down to about your waist. Your hand will go from high to low, as if it is changing levels. Just like your dog will be doing. Makes sense, right?
A treat
As I stated before, nothing puts the ball in your court, yet at the same time makes a level playing field like an extra special treat. Again, I recommend Charlee Bear brand dog treats. These treats should be especially reserved for training.
A dog
Same as before. Dog obedience works best with actual dogs. A good dog is preferred. Just kidding, they are all good dogs.
Going through the motions...
Sit down... YOU, not your dog! Sit flat on your butt and raise your knees as high as they can go, thus creating a triangular shape with your legs. Your dog will now have a little overpass to crawl under or a tunnel to go through, if you will.
Here's what to do from this point on.
With the treat in your grasp, place your left hand right underneath your left leg on the ground. With your dog on the right side of you, vocally give the command of "down" while you are simultaneously giving the hand gesture and making light of the treat that you have. Basically, your dog will notice the treat on the opposite side of your body and a bit lowered down. He or she will eventually figure out that they need to go under your legs to get it, creating a "down" command. With your continued patience, enthusiasm, and consistency your dog will catch on sooner than you might think.
Confused? Here is how it should look!
2 comments:
This is different than how I've always been told to do it.
Good tips. The video helped a lot since I had it pictured a lot differently in my mind. If you can, I'd find a way to get some lighting for your shots. Once you crouch down in this shot and really get into the process of the trick your body loses definition and looks like it's shadowed.
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