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Tera

I'm trying to train my overexcited Australian Kelpie to Lay Down

She started really well and was getting the hang ot it but then everthing went backwards! She will either get halfway down with my hand gently holding her butt down, stand in the Bow position, or sit with her neck stretched down and refuse to follow the treat. If I do manage to get her to lay down, she half rolls over and chews my hand excitedly and goes hyper


Asked by Tera on Oct 23rd 2009 Tagged laydown, drop, overexcited in Methods of Training
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Best Answer

Pepper

I have the same problem - or I did. Now my human boy learned not to repeat his commands, just look at me and wait.
He also learned how to time reward and praise so I know what I did was right and I don't keep doing all my tricks.
And last, I get trained in short bursts, if I get too crazy, the treats go away and I don't get any til I chill. There is no point dealing with me when my ADHD is peaking!


Pepper answered on Oct 23rd.

Other Answers

Answers

Jack

Try getting her to sit first. Then give her a small, valuable treat, like a piece of chicken or a soft treat. These have a higher "value" than kibble or dry treats and they are much more quickly eaten so training is more effective.

Then, once you get her sitting at each and every request, put her into a sitting position. Don't hold her down. Tell her to stay, put your hand with the treat in it, on the floor right between her two front feet, not in any other place. Then, calmy and quietly say, "Down" and your voice should automatically cue her that she can try for that treat. Continue to repeat down until she's in that position, then let go of the treat while saying, "Good down!" (that instead of good girl reinforces the command/action.)

It can take a few weeks for this to be something that she gets, especially if she's a puppy or slightly hyper and excitable.

Teaching her eye contact by holding hte treat up to your face and giving it to her when she makes eye contact helps too!


Jack answered on 10/23/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Toto, CD, RN, CGC

I start with my dog in a sit position at my left side and I place my left thumb thru the collar and spread my hand over her shoulders... this helps to keep her from bolting forward. Now, take that highest value treat in your right hand and starting slightly above her nose, pass it down and a bit forward on the ground in the shape of an L. while you command, "Tera, down." As you pass it by her nose she will hopefully follow it down, you can press slightly on her shoulders with your left hand. When she does down, Immediately give the treat and continue to hold her down lightly with your left hand over her shoulder for a few seconds. PRAISE!!!! And do it again and again, increasing the time she stays down until she's got it. Good luck!~


Toto, CD, RN, CGC answered on 10/23/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Dieta

Place your food or toy in your hand or fingers so she can not get it.
Place the hand with the object/food over her nose, once she sees or wants it. Take that hand and slowly lower it towards her feet then rock the hand back towards her elbows. That way the head comes fully down , then back towards the elbows. That way it kind of forces the butt, legs, shoulders to come together. That is going to give you a perfect sphynix position for the down. It is hard to tell but to show is better sorry.


Dieta answered on 10/23/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


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