Long Down with distraction - Page 1

The best way I have found to train a steady sit and down is with oppostition training.  You use the opposition reflex to casue the dog to pull into the down and it can't creep forward.  The dog will actually pull backwards into a rock solid down.  Works great for the sit out of motion and Stand. 

Once I have a reliable down under distraction; I proof it.  I bring the dog I'm training ont the field and do some obedience and reward with a toy.  Then I put the dog in a down stay (platz) and bring out a second dog.  I do obedience with the second dog around the first, causing the second dog to actually step over the "downed" dog.  I then reward the second dog with a brisk game of fetch with a toy.  I throw the toy directly passed the first dog's nose who is in a down.  The second dog runs past the first dog to get the toy.  It is very tempting for the first dog to beak the down. 

I ensure that I have a method of correcting the first dog instantly if he breaks the down.  EIther a long line or an E-collar; or both.  The dog already understands the platz command and gets an effective correction immediately.  After 5 or 10 minutes (depending) with the second dog I put it away and go back to the first dog.   I praise and reward the first dog very enthuasistically; then I have a high energy fetch session with the dog. 

That is the entire training session at that time.  If I'm working on the "platz"  (down and stay for me) I work just that on several consecutive sessions and nothing else.  

FWIW, 
Jim

Sure, Stinky. ; )

Ok, opposition reflex is when you are walking your dog down the street on a leash and choke collar for example.  You may have noticed that the dog will pull into the collar and choke itself.  This is the opposition reflex, the dog pulls against pressure in the opposite direction.  People don't have this, if you had a choke collar on your neck you would stop pulling and not get choked.  Dogs are the opposite.

So, to use this natural tendancy of the dog to pull against pressure we have "opposition training."  It is easier to explain with the sit and stay. I'm assuming we are not talking about a puppy, but a dog that knows sit, down and stay.

Ok, put a leash on the dog,I prefer on a prong collar for this but a flat collar will work also.  Tell the dog sit and stay, grab the snap on the leash and step in front of the dog.  You should be standing directly in front of the dog holding the snap for the leash in your hand.  The snap should be directly under the dog's chin.  Now, begin to walk bacwards feedng the leash through your hand as you move back.  

Think of the leash in your hand as fishing line on a reel.  Let out the leash as you move backwards keeping constant tension.  The dog will actually pull against this pressure and sit very solidly.  Now, the dog will break the sit and come to you initially.  Simply grab the dog by the collar and walk directly into the dog pushing the dog back to it's original spot and command "Sit Stay" and repeat.

When you have the dog sitting steadily and you are applying pressure reel yourself back into the dog and stand in front of the dog and release, praise and reward.  This progresses to a 30' lead and you moving side to side while applying pressure.  Then you add in distractions like throwing a ball in front of the dog and the dogs stays solidly while the toy flies by. 

The down is taught the same way.  It is amazing to see how much tension the dog will put against you and the leash.  When you are pulling the dog will tighten all his muscles to stay in that sit or down position.  The sit / down becomes rock solid.

FWIW,

Jim