May 13, 2011

I have a problem with my dog doing a long down. It won’t stay when I move away from him. What should I do?

Full Question:
I have been training my dog with your tape for three months now. My dog learns fast, but the problem is that when I tell him to stay, no matter the position, he gets up and runs away when I turn my back. I sit him down and correct him for not staying, but its like he doesn't even care. I have bought him a prong collar. He still doesn't care. What can I do so he listens?
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
If the dog truly understands the meaning of the command down, then it needs a correction for moving. You also want to combine this with positive motivation for complying. For example, show the dog a ball (if it has strong prey drive) and as soon as you release the dog from the down (and there must be a verbal RELEASE - i.e. OK) then toss the ball. Use a motivator that really appeals to the dog. If it's not a ball then maybe its food or a Frisbee - bottom line is you do what it takes to motivate the dog. It's also important to start with short time spans for the down. Don't be doing 3 minute downs when you have these kind of problems. You have to have a dog that can do a 10 second down for a reward before you have a dog that can do a 45 second down for a reward.

You will need to use a long line and a prong collar for correction. They need to be firm and consistent. From the sound of what you are saying you are more into problem solving rather than real dog training. You need to really think about what's going on and come up with a game plan. Emphasis has to be on your mistakes and not the dogs.

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