Luring Down

STEPS:

• Do not use a cue (“Down”) during this exercise.
• With your dog in a sit, hold a treat right in front of his/her nose.
• Lower the treat slowly towards the floor. Go about half way.
• If your dog keeps his bottom on the floor as his head lowers, click and give your dog the treat.
• Repeat this three times.
• Gradually lower the treat more and more until it is on the floor before you click and treat. Some dogs will do this in two steps, but some dogs may require you to move a centimeter closer to the floor each time until the treat is on the floor. Work with the dog in front of you.
• When your dog is lowering his/her head all the way to the floor, click and three treats, one right after another.
• Next, lure your dog’s head down and pull the treat out slightly. If your dog raises his/her head, try again and don’t move as fast or as far. If he/she keeps their head down click and give him/her the treat.
• Gradually pull the treat straight out in front of your dog until he shifts into a down position. This may be done in one step, or it may take ten steps. Again, every dog is different.
• Once your dog is in a down, click and give him five treats.
• Repeat three or four times, clicking and giving five treats one right after another.
• Stop luring and wait. Your dog may take some time, but he/she will begin trying to figure out how to earn the treat again, and will lie down on his/her own without the lure.

HOMEWORK:

• PUPPIES: Work for about 2 minutes and take a break. Practice 3 times a day.
• DOGS: Work for 5 minutes, three times or more a day..
• Be patient and keep it positive! This can be frustrating, but don’t let your dog pick up on your frustration.

AT THE END OF THIS STEP:
Your dog should be offering a down without being asked.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

My dog won’t follow the treat.

• Try a less distracting environment.
• Take him for a walk or play an active game to get out any pent-up energy, then try again.
• Consider what you are using to reward him. When first acquiring a behavior, your dog will only work for you if you pay him with something he likes.  With Luring, the stinkier the better.

My dog won’t lie down.

• Try a less distracting environment.
• Try working where lying down is more comfortable.
• Consider what you are using to reward him.
• Wait until your dog is tired and lies down on his own and click and treat a few times, then try again..