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Teaching a down and stay
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This useful game teaches your dog a calm “down” and “stay” cue, which is super handy for all sorts of everyday situations! It builds brilliant self-control and helps your dog understand that staying calmly in a down position is highly rewarding. You’ll love having a dog who can settle politely when you need them to!
With practice this will help you achieve:
- Settling calmly at a cafe
- Staying put when guests arrive
- Relaxing in the living room
What you'll need
- Plenty of super yummy high-value treats (small and easy for your dog to eat)
- A quiet, low-distraction space to start (like your kitchen or living room)
- Something soft for them to lie on such as a mat or a rug
Step-by-step
- Lure the down: Start with your dog in a sit. Hold a tasty treat right under their nose and slowly lure it down towards the floor and then slide it away from them between their front paws. Your dog should follow the treat into a down position.
- Mark and reward the down: The moment your dog’s elbows touch the floor and they’re in that down position, say “Yes!” and immediately give them the treat between their paws.
- Build duration (no cue yet): Give your dog about three to four treats in a row while they are still in the down position. This builds massive value for staying put. If they pop up, just reset and try again.
- Add the “down” cue: Once your dog is reliably performing the down with the lure, you can add your verbal cue “Down” just before you perform the lure.
- Reward the choice: After throwing a treat away to reset your dog, wait for them to come back towards you. They may offer a “down” on their own. Reward them for this great choice!
- Start adding duration: Place 10 treats one by one between their paws as they stay in a down, if they come out of the position, stop the treats and wait. You can add the down cue again if you need to.
- Next steps: Take a look at the ‘Progressing sit and wait 3 Ds’ video as this can be applied to the down position.
Top tips for success
- If your dog struggles, make it easier! Just reward for their nose getting closer to the floor initially. The a bend in their elbows.
- Remember, you’re not physically pushing them down; you’re luring them with the treat.
Members only
This resource is a special perk for our members. To join us, first is to book one of our services. If you’re already a member, log in to enjoy full access.
Want a calmer, more settled dog?
It's truly wonderful when your dog can happily settle into a "down" position, giving you a moment of calm! If you're struggling to teach your dog to settle, or they find it hard to stay put amidst the distractions, I'm based in Epsom and here to help. A fun, personalised One-to-One session can transform those busy moments into peaceful pauses.
