Why it matters
Down is the anchor for calm — the position dogs settle in at cafés, during dinner, and on their mat. It also builds impulse control better than almost any other cue.
Step-by-step: teaching down
1. Lure to the floor
With the dog sitting, hold a treat to their nose and lower it straight to the floor between the front paws, then draw it slowly away along the ground. Mark the instant the elbows touch.
Tip On slippery floors put down a mat — many dogs avoid lying on cold or slick surfaces.
2. Shape partial progress
If your dog only crouches, reward that a few times, then hold out for lower. Some dogs need the 'under the leg' trick: lure them under your bent knee so they must drop to follow.
3. Name the behavior
Once the lure works 9 out of 10 times, say 'down' just before luring. After 10–15 pairings, test the word alone.
4. Fade the lure and add duration
Switch to an empty-hand signal, reward from the other hand. Then start counting seconds before the treat, building a relaxed down.
Tip Feed the treat between the front paws — it keeps the dog anchored in position.
5. Take it on the road
Practice downs on walks, at the park, and at the vet. A down that only works at home is half a down.
Common mistakes
- Pushing the dog's shoulders down — it creates resistance and can scare soft dogs.
- Moving the lure too fast so the dog stands and follows instead of folding down.
- Using 'down' to also mean 'get off the couch' — pick one meaning per word.
- Rewarding after the dog pops back up, which pays the pop-up.