Dog Training – How To Teach Your Dog To Lie Down
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
by Andy Robbins
http://www.homesecuritysystemsadvice.com
The aim is to teach your dog to lie down on the floor when you ask him to. Some dogs find this exercise easy - others find it comparatively difficult. Ensure that your dog understands the sit' word first and make sure he is fully fluent in this action. If you try to teach too much at once, he will simply become confused and not know what you are asking him. Follow this procedure which will successfully ensure your dog will learn how to lie down:
Show him another treat.
Put it near the end of his nose.
Slowly move the treat downwards, to a spot between his paws.
Wait for a few moments. Provided they are interested in the treat, many
dogs will lie down just to keep a close eye on it. Reward him immediately.
If he stands up, start again. Once he learns that he gets no reward for this response, he will stop doing it.
If he seems to be losing interest, you may need to follow a process known as shaping. Shaping means that instead of waiting for the end result before rewarding, you reward any steps towards the desired result.
If your dog does not lie down quickly, make it easier for him to understand what you want.
Have a few treats in your hand so that you can reward him several times without breaking off.
Show him the treat. Begin to move your hand downwards. If his head follows at all, reward him for dropping his head.
Produce another treat; this time, if he will follow the treat to the floor, reward this.
Next time, move the treat to the floor and wait for a few seconds. If your dog follows this with his head, reward him. If he shows any signs of moving his front feet to lie down, reward this.
It does not matter how many stages you go through until your dog understands what you want. Be patient. Each time, you must ask for a little more from your dog before he gets the reward.
Once he is lying down by following the treat, begin to think about the word you will use. If down' means lie down', ensure no one says down' meaning don't jump up, get off the furniture or come downstairs. Maybe use a word such as off' for this. If you know that you say down', meaning don't jump up', it may be easier to teach your dog a different word for lie down' such as flat' or lie'
Follow the procedure, but if your dog has some difficulty doing these, do not be surprised. Dogs learn according to the situation and this is why it is essential to teach in all different circumstances. Do not assume that your dog will generalise the meaning of the word unless you have taught him in that setting.
The author has been writing articles for several years. Check out one of his latest websites on home stereo amplifiers and learn about which are the best home theater speakers.
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