Dog Food Secrets

“Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed” was a memorable statement of Francis Bacon. This way of thinking is nowhere more appropriate than when it comes to training dogs. Dogs will have a natural predisposition to hunt for and stay with a ranking structure with a leader (alpha) at the topmost of the pack and all the way down to an omega at the bottom. That is why the ‘Down’ command is without doubt invaluable for supporting your status as alpha.

When a dog has learned the down technique and rests in this position, you won’t have to worry about children getting bowled over or furniture getting jostled about. It also forms the building blocks for additional commands you may want to teach your dog-such as “sit,” “stay,” “roll over,” or even tricks.

It is advantageous that such behavior is for the most part quite routine to train. That is why it is paramount to capitalize on such uncompelled behavior whenever possible. You can do this through keeping an eye on the dog and reacting when there is a clear movement from standing to a sitting posture orsensations4 from a sitting posture to a down posture.

When this happens, you want to speak a specific command and use a unique hand gesture simultaneously. This gesture should be something you would not normally do, so you must make a special effort to do it. Every single time the dog goes into this position, you should clearly issue the command and make that hand gesture. Always use the same tone of voice.

After the command and as soon as the point of completion of the behavior is reached, praise the dog profusely. At the outset, the dog will not have a clear conception of why it is receiving praise. Really, this is not important. With the repeating of these exertions, the dog’s behavior will come from the command. Remember, it is the correct behavior you are seeking.

At first your dog probably won’t obey as commanded because he’s not certain what you want. So you will need to be patient and consistent. The best way to teach a new behavior is to work with the dog alone, away from other people and voices and distractions.

Positive behavior can also be encouraged by taking a treat or favorite toy and putting that item near the tip of the dog’s nose on the ground and then putting the dog into a sitting position. This is more likely to make the dog lie down by it.

Helping to focus your dog’s attention with the toy or snack, employ a ‘waving down’ hand motion, with your palm pointed towards the floor. Be sure to refrain from rewarding any dog with praise or a treat unless the behavior is accomplished and entirely correct. Be that as it may, if things don’t go the way you want them to, take care not to become upset with the dog.

Some dogs require complementary training with a leash and collar to assist. To do this, get a short leather or nylon leash-a maximum of 4 feet long. Place the dog in the sitting position and kneel so you are in front of the dog facing him.

Make the unique hand sign signaling what you want, while at the same time issuing the verbal command and passing a treat or toy by the dog’s chin and to the ground while gradually and gently pulling on the leash. The aim is to encourage the dog and not to reproach the dog in any fashion.

Sometimes a dog simply will not get it. So here’s another thing to try. Loop the leash around one of the knees on the dog’s hind legs. Bring the other end of the leash under your foot (on the opposite side) where you can move it with your foot. While giving the command and the gesture, slide the leash with your foot so it buckles the dog’s hind knee and gently pull the dog’s two front legs toward you so the dog gently slides into the down position.

And once the dog is in the proper position, you should praise the dog lavishly even though you were the one who initiated the movement and not the dog. You always want the dog to connect such a position with good feelings: both his feelings and yours.