down stay - Page 2

You have gotten some very good points and suggestions. One other thing that I would recommend is to incorporate it into play. When having the dog retrieve during play, platz him and have him stay until you throw the ball (toy). If the dog breaks the platz, move in, correct it and repeat. It will not be long that you are able to move further away, walk around and make it longer times until you throw the toy.

Implement this in addition to the leash/line work during play/relax time with the dog. This helps to reinforce what you are teaching the dog on the line, and if done consistently, most dogs will have a clean platz within two to three weeks.

Be careful in the beginning, watch your dog, give verbal corrections as soon as the dog cues that it is going to break the platz and reward shortly afterwards. Always make the reward on good behavior, do not wear the dog out with it. Most dogs will do this very well once they catch on that they have to stay to get the toy. Keep it fun for the dog and not work. Remember, this is the dogs free time, and you are simply incorporating what you want into the free time.

Good luck,

Jerry

What have you been smokin bucko?

The problem OP is that obviously the dog does not understand the exercise and is insufficently trained in both the down and the recall.

A down, is a down is a down; it matters not if you return to the dog or ask the dog to come to you, the dog should down on command and not move until and unless released or given another command.

STAY and WAIT commands are just pointless superstition that have no meaning in a dog's brain (but apparently a lot in hendlers/trainers minds).

Anyway unlike other disciplines in Schutzhund there is only one command whether it is static (for the long down), on the move (for the positions on the move) or at the end of an exercise (sendaway).

 

I train a down with luring from 7 weeks old using the positions on the move.

 

Once the position is maintained I then teach the following variables in the following order

Duration

Distraction

Distance

difficulty

 

I do not use a lead