We've had Reggie now for 6 weeks and I've been working with him doing marker training. We are also doing a level 2 obedience class (it's marker training also and actually pretty good surprisingly!) Reggie didn't know much when he came to us - basically sit and give me 5. But he graduated out of level 1 in only 2 class times so he definitely understands a lot more now.

But his downs are totally NOT reliable. He will hem and haw and sometimes go down after thinking about it, other times he won't, and other times he goes right down. I'm positive he knows what I want but I can't figure out why he's being stubborn about them. He doesn't do that with any other behavior. I'm also sure it's not about him feeling vulnerable because he lays down in class all the time all on his own - even rolls over on his side during breaks. And this behavior happens at home just as much.

So how do you deal with that using marker training? I've tried doing the little "nope" when he won't go down, which works for sit or other things, but not for down. And I use his favorite treats! Any suggestions?? Bob??!!

 Quote: Lori Hall

We've had Reggie now for 6 weeks and I've been working with him doing marker training. We are also doing a level 2 obedience class (it's marker training also and actually pretty good surprisingly!) Reggie didn't know much when he came to us - basically sit and give me 5. But he graduated out of level 1 in only 2 class times so he definitely understands a lot more now.

But his downs are totally NOT reliable. He will hem and haw and sometimes go down after thinking about it, other times he won't, and other times he goes right down. I'm positive he knows what I want but I can't figure out why he's being stubborn about them. He doesn't do that with any other behavior. I'm also sure it's not about him feeling vulnerable because he lays down in class all the time all on his own - even rolls over on his side during breaks. And this behavior happens at home just as much.

So how do you deal with that using marker training? I've tried doing the little "nope" when he won't go down, which works for sit or other things, but not for down. And I use his favorite treats! Any suggestions?? Bob??!!

Are you training ONLY when he is Very hungry ??? That's helpful for "chow-hounds"

As per Candi and also use a treat that really rocks his boat.

Some dogs can look at a down as a submissive move.

If ALL you training is upbeat that would help.

Are you doing the down from a sit?

That may help but wean Reggie off asap or he can start anticipating the down when he is in the sit position.

Is this a high drive/energy dog?

Markers can seem to perform miracles sometimes but a laid back, low energy level dog can drag things out until it understand the process.

On those times he "goes right down" make a big fuss and don't look for duration at this point.

Candi, he's always hungry...but yes, I've tried training right before dinner and it doesn't matter.

We don't know what his first 1 1/2 to 2 years was like but there are clues it wasn't good, and sometimes it seems like he's having some kind of negative 'feeling' about a down.

Do you point? Ir is it a word without a signal? I found pointing down with your hand near the nose and near the floor so a dog follows the treat and the hand worked better for me rather than a word only.

Dogs are much more responsive to body language (hand signals) then they are to verbal commands.

I would go so far as to actually lure the dog into the dog in the beginning if needed.

Say it Bob! I might be slightly right in some sense!

Lol

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

Do you point? Ir is it a word without a signal? I found pointing down with your hand near the nose and near the floor so a dog follows the treat and the hand worked better for me rather than a word only.

Yes, I do point. And Bob mentioned using a lure - I point and lure at the same time. the thing is, he absolutely KNOWS what down is because he does it half the time.

We've only had him for 6 weeks so we probably need to be patient and just keep working on it.

Bob, I do make sure to be upbeat with him because he's very sensitive and if he thinks you're upset with him it affects things too.

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

Say it Bob! I might be slightly right in some sense!

For sure!