Won't lay down...

[AndrewC]

My 4 month old male rottie, Dominik refuses to lay down when commanded. I know he's very intelligent as he has learned other commands (sit, stay, come, touch) within a half a hotdogs time. I am using the method where you place a treat in your hand and move your hand between front legs of the dog while he's in a sit position. He does it every time with my hand motions but just looks at me dumbfounded (that cute face with the head tilted to one side) when we try it with only the command. All the other commands in his vocab he learned very quickly but "down" has been going on for weeks. If anyone out there can give me a pointer or two I'd appreciate it. Thank you all in advance.

[missy kelly's mom]

Hi Andrew:
Persistance. I had the same problem w/ Missy. I got her to Down for me by taking a treat, hold it in front of her nose, pushing slightly on her shoulders lowering the treat saying the doowwnn til she went down. 1st 2nd 3rd etc. She finally did it. Then I praised her to high heaven, but not to the point where she got to excited. Then I gave her other commands that she did really well.
Then lots of praise "Good Job" Gave Treat.
Did doowwnn again She did catch on. It took a while. Now at 21 mo. I can stand some distance away from her, put her in sit-stay, walk away from her, raise my right arm then slowly bring my arm down to my side as I am saying Dowwwwwwn. She instantly goes down. It took me a couple of weeks before she understood. And in the mean time Mommy learned Patience. Don't Give Up !

Missy's Kelly's Mom
Pam
1st Time Dog Owner

[WorkinDogz]

Try doing it from a stand instead of a sit

Obviously; if you're using food to train, the dog should be a little hungry.

Have the food in your hand, make sure he knows you have it, then put your hand even with his nose and quickly drop your hand to the floor using whatever word your command for down is. (Repeat this several times, always saying "platz" (or whatever) when your hand hits the ground)

His front end will drop first; leaving a cute little tail-less butt still in the air. DON'T REWARD him until his whole body is in a down position. You can slowly slide your hand (with his nose on it) toward his body, in between his legs to encourage the drop of the hind quarters. There is no need to touch him on the butt for this.

It takes a couple of tries; but he'll be platzing in no time.