Wendy Roth Webboard User Reg: 01-02-2008
Posts: 28
Loc:
Offline
Hi there,
I have a 6 month old boxer puppy. She is timid in nature. Her puppy training is going well so far except the down command. I am assuming I am doing something wrong. I tried to follow Ed's video, but she just won't cooperate.
How do I train her without wrestling her to the ground? She will not budge even from a sit. Please please help.
Thank you.
Wendy Roth Webboard User Reg: 01-02-2008
Posts: 28
Loc:
Offline
Yes, I have tried luring her with food. No, I do not use a clicker. Do you have any suggestions regarding a technique or procedure? The video I have shows Ed just kind of pushing down and back with his puppy. The problem is my pupy is now much bigger than the one on the video. I don't want to hurt her by pushing too hard. I have wrestled her down about 3 times and I just don't think that is the way to do it. She acted scared... got wide eyed and fought it.
You definitely don't want to scare her. I've usually had success with food and patience. If I can find a treat a dog likes well enough, it usually works.
Another thing you can try is luring with the treat while applying a rocking pressure to the shoulders. I don't like pushing most of the time, I find the dogs tend to lock up and resist. Sometimes luring will help break the resistance.
With a truly stubborn dog, I have occasionaly grabbed the front feet, lifted gently up and forward then down to place the dog in the down position.
A dog really learns more quickly when it can try to figure things out on its own. Being forced or placed into a position isn't the quickest way for them to learn.
If you don't mind, can you describe how you go about luring her? It just may require a minor adjustment in your technique to get it to work. or she may just be one of those that won't lure :-)
Dennis Jones Webboard User Reg: 06-13-2004
Posts: 3389
Loc: Richmond Va
Offline
make sure your pupper is hungry and train in a quite area, I don't know what training method you are using so it kind of hard to make a suggestion. I started by having the treat in your hand in front of her face then moving it down and give the down command at the same time and has soon as your pupper gets his chest on the ground treat and mark. I've seen vids of a person using a chair between the dog and the trainer, the dog must get under the chair in a down position in order to get a treat
Wendy Roth Webboard User Reg: 01-02-2008
Posts: 28
Loc:
Offline
I usually have her sit. Then, with the treat in my hand, I allow her to smell it and then motion the down command as I say "down". I hold my hand kind of flat and move it downward to the ground while holding the treat.
I even try to catch her in the process of laying down on her own and say good down and give her a treat right after she does it, hoping she will associate the laying down with the treat and word.
I love the chair idea. I will definitely try that.
Wendy Roth Webboard User Reg: 01-02-2008
Posts: 28
Loc:
Offline
By the way I have tried the rocking and gently grabbing the front feet also. Thanks for the suggestion. This seems to cause her to immediately stand up. If I touch her feet, she immediately stands up and tries to resist.
If she resists any physical help, then I would try my best to avoid it. You don't want her to gain a negative association with a position she is already so reluctant about. Have you tried drawing the treat slightly forward? Sometimes this will make them stand up, but most will get it if you keep having them sit and keep trying.
You can try the chair, it's an interested idea. Be careful that she doesn't try to sit up suddenly and hit the chair and scare herself!
steve strom Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2006
Posts: 4203
Loc:
Offline
Once she is down, give her the treat on the ground not from your hand and then if she remains down give her a couple more on the ground. The only way I've ever seen it done with a dog that won't lure down was the same as Ed. Gently forcing them down.
Trying to get my youngest pup to 'down' was not easy. He's a dominant type, and wouldn't be lured or pushed.
I sat on the floor, with my legs stretched out straight in front of me, i then raised my knees up so they made kind of an A frame shape. I taught the pup to go under my legs for food and said nothing, just lured him through. I straightend my legs a bit at a time, until he was caused to lay down to crawl under. I marked and rewarded the moment he downed and the light bulb went on. I then only used one leg, and then just sat on the floor with him for a number of days.
I now can stand up and ask for a down and he does it happily.
I could have forced him, but i didn't want to damage his little psyche. Plus he bites really hard. LOL
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
having trouble with the down command. please help
Top
Plus he bites really hard. LOL 
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
