Hi - I have been watching your excellent videos (thank you!)? One question though is that I am confused about the difference between the Get it command and the Search command?
Hi @@jinxradar “search” tells the dog look for food on the floor, “get i means retrieve a toy from the floor however I also use “get it” if I’m bringing a cookie very very close to the dogs face while playing itsyerchoice. “Get it” is the cue that tells the dog they can take that cookie. And yes I probably should have a different queue for that one to decrease confusion, it’s an old artefact from my past that I’ve just not changed.
I watched this video twice last night - I admit to being a bit confused about how or if it would work. So, although a bit skeptical, I gave it a go using a bed with an edge. My pup started with a few sits but once I got on the floor, she offered a down! Oh my gosh! After a bit I traded out the bed for a front paws target and, again, success! Once she seemed to have that consistently, I stood up and added the cue. Not sure I should have done this all in one session (did take a balance break) but my pup was engaged and responsive throughout. We’ll work on reinforcing with future sessions. Thanks, Susan. This session greatly grew my confidence and, hopefully, was fun for my pup. ☺️🤍💙
Love love love this way of teaching a down. Was practising verbal cues last night. I had a good old laugh at myself. I thought I had taught a verbal cue for go round an object (round) but no, I've taught a visual cue.....a very subtle point👉. Would never have realised this if I hadn't watched your podcasts on TH-cam. I tried the stand still and cue....sit, down and stand...all on verbal.....most other things very subtle visual cues. Hilarious 😂. Thanks Susan. Really lovin the hair, you look fabulous.
Always good advice. I have been needing to revisit my 'downs' after my dog has been coming back from an injury and training has taken the backseat. This has come at exactly the right time! Thank you.
Well shiiiit….. ingenious! Wish I had known of Susan when I got my first puppy 4 years ago. The first “training “ place I took her to used the method where you push gently on the dog’s shoulder blades. It never felt right to me but I really didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t agree with other training methods there, so we never went back. Another trainer used a luring method, which I preferred much more than trying to force my dog down. But these methods are really great. This is really awesome. My dogs know “down” now but I’m going to play around with this and see how it goes!
I trained 2 types of down, with different names. One from the site position, the other one from the. Standing position. Both using lure😢. I regret that I didn’t think about using one of your targets methods. Slowly I am retraining like if this was something ne, and it really makes a difference! Thank you.
I had to use the "under my leg" trick with my son's dog I trained as his service dog because she was formerly trained as show dog and as Susan says, "what they learn first they learn best." My dog I rescently got as an adult had also been trained as a show dog but she learned "down " by watching the other dog. 😉
This was SUCH an amazing podcast!!! I have been (slowly) going back over old cues and tricks and because I started H360 and I really want to focus on our D.A.S.H. now. Through these podcasts, Recallers, and H360 my understanding is growing and I am starting to generalize a tiny bit more how to use shaping +engagement, but Susan, you are such a creative genius coming up with these games. I play them and sometimes I tear up with gratitude and pride because thanks to you I have exponentially increased the amount of clarity I can provide my puppy. I know as we continue playing, we will continue to learn so much from you. I just love to watch my relationship with my puppy blossom. I cannot wait to try these games for down!!! I know we are going to have so much fun together!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING ❤️🤩🎉🎉🎉
WONDERFUL video! I have been struggling to teach my dog not to sit before down because of poor early training. Getting it right is actually part of the safety factor in the down or drop command, not just for the form in obedience trials. I am going to try the front feet target to see if she can fold down. We currently have a weird hand signal to get her into correct form but its awkward at best.
Love it. Will try with my super relaxed lab. Looking to get him to understand recall with down. Really tough. As he’s making his way to me he doesn’t want to stop and drop. Maybe a target would help. Thanks.
I'm hoping you see this, I'm going to continue to watch your videos and try to learn your technique I love your training style. I'm a complete novice dog trainer with zero formal training. Could you recommend a starting point for my two two year old puppies? I'm currently trying to take both of their training back to step one so we can build that 5c's foundation.
Hi Trinity! Thanks for commenting and for being open to learning. The ItsYerChoice Summit is a wonderful way for you to start with your pups: dogsthat.com/y/iycsummit Please, remember to subscribe so you're notified of the upcoming videos 🐕
Susan how do you go from perch work to the dog coming in and touching his front paws on a stick? Very important because in French ring one of the exercises is asking a dog for the three positions from a distance where the dog must never move his front paws
I just used this recently to teach my Rat Terrier to down. I couldn’t believe how fast it worked. And he had fun doing it. He is so proud of himself that he offers down ALL the time!! Thanks so much!!
I’d love another video on the paw target with a stick! I first taught with a lure so her down is kind of sloppy and she always seems to target me or my hands with her paws. I don’t have a raised surface, plus we are still working on tug, so that way would be tough. I’ve tried the bed and it hasn’t worked as well as I’d like.
My previous dog would not stay in a down position for more than 1-3 seconds. I think that first method would confuse her because it is less direct but the second one you showed may have worked with her. I wish I had seen this back when I was training her.
I have been trying the version with the dog bed. I have been having issues where my dog searches, gets the treat, sometimes comes back and lays down, sometimes just wonders around looking for more treats. Also, when she dies down, I wouldn’t say it is always a very fast down. Am I doing this wrong, or is there something I am missing? Thank you!
I trained my 10 month old puppy with a food lure to the nose so now we are retraining the down. When she is in the position of down on the table and we are tugging, how do I get her off the table so she can get back on and go into the fast down? When she gives me the tug toy she stays in the down position waiting for me to say "get it" again. She is in HSTD and Crate Games so she has a strong release word and is pretty good at It's Yer Choice.
I feel so overwhelmed, it feels slow, but I see the foundation it forms and how each game builds on others and watching my dog slowly progress helps me persevere
I’m going to join one of the classes so there is a road map. The results seem pretty quick, for instance in the “it’s yer choice “ game and hand target game.
What about an immediate down when there’s an emergency and my dog is in motion? My girl has gotten good at downs from a distance (with either hand signal or the word “down”) now with the frisbee as her reward. Suggestions?
This is fantastic! Thank you!! Now can you teach us how to teach "Stand"? three dogs, and I've never managed it! Of course they stand up, but they've never really understood exactly what I want them to do (stand still and wait, and allow the vet to examine you!). And can you tell us where you get the raised dog beds? I'm expecting a puppy and getting everything in place. They look amazing, but I've never seen one in the stores where I live! Thank you so much for all you are doing to help us have amazing lives with our dogs!
Hi Anna, thank you for such a lovely note! That's really exciting about your puppy, you are off to a super start. Here's a video blog all bout training "Stand": susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/10/train-your-dog-to-stand-on-cue/ For the raised dog beds, there are several really good types, we have one listed on our website: dogsthat.com/favs/
I would love a video that goes into more detail about shaping down with a tug toy! I have a little bit of a hard time following exactly how you do it in thie video. One focused just on using a elevated platform and tug toy would be much appreciated 🙂
Thanks so much for this! Ive been in your Recallers program for the past several months and was really struggling with teaching my dog down because I didn’t know the Susan Garrett way! He knows how to more reliably now but I had used a hand signal and my body position is also clearly a huge cue. I would love to reteach the behavior to promote a more reliable down that isn’t so dependent on me standing directly in front of my dog. Could I see a more detailed video as you had mentioned of the bed or bath mat method? Thanks for another great episode! :)
I have whippets and they will do anything to be able to down or even sit on a soft warm surface. Am I just being soft when I assume that asking them to down on hard cold surfaces is not on for their thin skins?
That’s awesome thank you! My puppys “down” is not only slow, it’s also “optional” now! 😅 we were taught at puppy pre-school to lure and although I moved on from a lure very quickly my kids didn’t so Zuri (puppy) knows she doesn’t have to if the guarantee of payment isn’t in front of her! So I’m excited to implement Susan’s method and get consistent and snappy “downs”. I have a few questions… I’m wondering if I use the word “cookie” when delivering the treat in their bed? also Is it ok to keep my down seperate from my kids? I’ve got a different word lined up, it’s just I don’t want them to sabotage it 😮😅 and I still belong to a training club, which I think I’ll maintain we don’t do anything new in that class, mostly just practice good behaviour around other dogs and people. But there are lots of sit stays and down stays. My question is when the grass is wet and cold she doesn’t want to go down at all, I can take a carpet mat or step for her but she’s still reluctant. Should I just not ask her to do a down in this environment? Maybe while she’s getting used to enjoying it again or….?? Thanks HEAPS. I love what I’m learning and can’t believe how much additional content you share for free!!!!! You and your team are tops!!
I feel like this gives me home and overwhelms me some. I rescue and one of them is deaf (that's a whole different situation) but I just took in two Huskies and they are jumpers for sure! They have never had any obedience training! You videos give me so much hope but sometimes I don't know where to begin! Any suggestions?
Hi Kate, congratulations on your new dogs! Susan did an episode specifically for rescue dogs: th-cam.com/video/-WTjF2ll7Xc/w-d-xo.html Here's one for jumping dogs: th-cam.com/video/Iy4KUSCc3cw/w-d-xo.html And there's one about hand signals that can help with your deaf dog: th-cam.com/video/QxCwNl3Wpg8/w-d-xo.html Happy training!
You missed the "sploot" position.😆 My girl frequently melts onto the floor with her hips spayed and her whole belly on the floor.... especially if the floor is slippery and she's tired of holding it all together. 😉😆
If the dog just looks for more coockies and diesn't know what's going on, the Händler just has a horrible, not existing relationship and/or has now clue how to correctly "lure". All my dogs, different breeds, had learned it by me using my hand and showing them to move their front body down. Yes, usually with a treat in my hand. Within 5 minutes all dogs did it fast and knew what I wanted, not focused on the treat as I use them only as payment, not force/lure. Then the cue added, once before the hand signal starts. It took none of them longer than 3 days to lay down on the vocal cue only even on Distanzen and they qere between 8 and 10 weeks old. Even my "difficult" breeds like Akita. My Shepherd now learned the vocal cue within 1 day and roughly 15min. I once tried the target thing but it takes forever as the dog follows the target ehich already is a trick. Why make it unecessarily difficult for the dog. If "luring" takes forever or the dog doesn't get the hand or vocal signal, it's because the trainer or handler is acting flawed and just "lures" with no reason and thinking behind it. I put lure in "" because that's not how it should be done. The same method but instead of luring use it as communication and it's the easiest for your dog to understand. The target is just "luring" the dog as well. Just like if the treats are used incorrectly, the dog follows the target as ze knows it'll earn him a ckick and treat and then it's exact the same thing just without treats but still luring and makes it difficult or take longer. So I use my hand with or without treat like a target but without being a target that the dog blondly and without a brain touches. All my dogs learn to follow my non verbal signals and "lures" without being braindead
My dog is very submissive, but stubborn. She won’t come if she sees a rabbit or squirrel. She has to be leashes always or she will get lost/hurt chasing animals. And also, she will not DOWN. I don’t know if she’s scared or what. She just won’t do it. Any advice?
Hi Lori! Here's a video to help with dogs that chase wildlife: th-cam.com/video/Z9hXKLCK0Cg/w-d-xo.html And one with ten different ways of teaching down: th-cam.com/video/E9IXKuewJDE/w-d-xo.html
@Dogs That I actually jumped the gun bc I tried it with him that night with a random toy...I hyped it up a lot and I held it up over my head while sitting on the floor and then I put it on the ground and just held it there. He looked at me like I was crazy BUT then he did this playful pounce into a down to get the toy lol!!! Not the prettiest down but definitely the funniest 🤣 We did that a few times, ending with lots of praise and belly rubs and a successful down...thank you so much for helping add a new technique to my training bag of goodies!
Hello @Mystic65, in the video, you'll see how to play with treats. If you would like to play with toys with your dogs, here's a good starting place for you: susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/how-to-create-a-motivating-toy/
I don’t understand why you say you don’t use food lures yet you are throwing or giving cookies. Only difference I can figure is you aren’t holding the treat in the position you want the dog to be in. Please explain! Thanks!
Hi Alesha! Susan explains in this other episode: th-cam.com/video/FxAeS2BNvKY/w-d-xo.html And if you're interested in learning more about her dog training philosophy, here's a playlist: th-cam.com/video/VYzJsErAXhs/w-d-xo.html Happy training!
i'm overwhelmed by all this, i joined home school the dog, i've only been to the site once, i am so busy coordinating events at work i am training ad hoc, 😩
Life can sure get busy, Kate, most of us are the same with all we need to fit in. It can help to schedule moments in your week with intent, here's a short video blog called "Get Your Dog Training Done (And Make Your Week Awesome)", that's great inspiration: susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/08/get-your-dog-training-done/
@@DogsThat my pup is turning 20 weeks, so i'm trying to add more things. she sits, sit stay, is a fetching machine so i've added break time to start teaching cool down relaxing, she us a border collie mix rescue...i'm watching the herding really come out, she started freezing and pointing to the ball, (she has some german shorthaired pointer), so yesterday i labeled it watching it, she continues watching until i release with get it...i do love living with a schedule, and my job is all scheduling...so i understand how vital it is...my question is deciding what to train each day. i have been trying to do a brief training before the game of fetch. early on i think my sessions were too long, even though it wasn't too long for me, i made that change weeks ago....i know it takes so many reputations, i played search one night, never to repeat...so the schedule will help. i am getting a dehydrator to make some treats, that's part of the problem too, i forget to take my treat pouch, or i run out of treats too fast. any suggestions for home made treats would be helpful. thanks for your reply!
Hello @Kate, it sounds like you are going great. You might enjoy the video that's all about planning training: th-cam.com/video/vFZpn62pI60/w-d-xo.html You can get a copy of our Tasty Treats eBook on our website: dogsthat.com/tastytreats/
Why teach down? Is there a dog sport that requires this? In retriever sports, we do not teach down because the retriever must see the handler over cover from a great distance away so laying down would be to a disadvantage.
its used often in obedience and agility, plus for many dogs (especially seniors) its easier to stay in a down than in a sit. I've taught many retrievers down, I just don't use it in competition.
Love this! I've been trying to retrain my downs, knew they were muddled, not as fast as I needed for Rally, and often based more on my movements (popping up if/when I raised my upper body after treating). Also in the midst of dropping the Stay cues as well. Cannot wait to to put this plan into actions. Thank you!!
This is how I have always trained my dogs , with the want for fun and pleasure . Never use food , never tell off always positive and such fun , you probably do not believe me but I know how they behave and what I can do with them . But I’m glad there are people around who do it this way . 🐾❤️🥰
Thank you! Very fresh perspective about how to teach down. I use luring techique but I don't notice the joy you show in the dog I train. Besides, Yes my own dog is a slow DOWN dog. What a wonderful way of engaging a dog to love the down! I will try it!
Hi @fundip43 yes, we teach release cues with reinforcement. We have a video on location specific reinforcement markers to hep - th-cam.com/video/5XDsCd39gCY/w-d-xo.html
In Norway we have a word used only for a dog to lie down. It is not used in any other Norwegian sentences I know of. Dekk is the word. Pronounced like deck in «a deck of cards».
Hello! Which podcast or video should I watch to learn about releasing a dog from a down position. I want him to stay lying down for longer! Thanks so much!!
So my dog is a stray and she doesn’t know how to play with toys. There is very little interest. So how do you train a dog that doesn’t play or tug? I think she was used as a hunting dog. She has a very soft mouth and was very disciplined. Please help!
As I mentioned before, I would love to see a detailed demo video of shaping down with tug and an elevated platform/bed! One question I have off the bat is: My pup is too big to use the cato board for down, so I was going to use one of her raised cot beds- however, we've been working hard to encourage relaxation in all her beds. Will this high-energy shaping game be confusing to her, and decrease the calm factor for her bed when we're not actively shaping/playing?
First off no on get on floor, won’t work here. I had been using a five gallon bucket lid for my dog to target, she loves it and speeds to it to make it slide. She will race to that lid and look to me for a reward, or next command. Happy Dog 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤
I started doing this with my 5 month old border collie puppy but noticed he mostly offers the rolled down, with his hips to one side. His dog bed does not have sides on it, but it is thick like a couch cushion. What can I do to teach him to offer the sphinx down instead?
What about if I'm doing this with a dog that slows down like a turtle when she sees treats involved - meaning she won't skid to a stop when she comes to the bed?
Hi @julianna digi is it that you'd like to teach relaxing in a bed? If so, we have a video to help - th-cam.com/video/t1fVPaWlc3w/w-d-xo.html For shaping a down using a bed, here's an easy tutorial for you - th-cam.com/video/P3z76PAz9AE/w-d-xo.html
I have my students train from a foot stool if getting up and down is an issue. You can even do it from a kitchen chair, the dog will figure out what you want!
put your dog on a platform or "climb" and sit in a chair there. Then reduce the height to normal once you can add verbal cue and stand. I think platform is an excellent way to teach a stand and stay too.
Susan you are so incredibly generous with your free training videos. Thank you so much. I'm following you with my 5 month old staffy puppy and she is responding so well.
Learn how to play ItsYerChoice as a foundation for your down training: dogsthat.com/y/iycsummit
Hi - I have been watching your excellent videos (thank you!)? One question though is that I am confused about the difference between the Get it command and the Search command?
Hi @@jinxradar “search” tells the dog look for food on the floor, “get i means retrieve a toy from the floor however I also use “get it” if I’m bringing a cookie very very close to the dogs face while playing itsyerchoice. “Get it” is the cue that tells the dog they can take that cookie. And yes I probably should have a different queue for that one to decrease confusion, it’s an old artefact from my past that I’ve just not changed.
@@RaptorsGirl thank you!
I watched this video twice last night - I admit to being a bit confused about how or if it would work. So, although a bit skeptical, I gave it a go using a bed with an edge. My pup started with a few sits but once I got on the floor, she offered a down! Oh my gosh! After a bit I traded out the bed for a front paws target and, again, success! Once she seemed to have that consistently, I stood up and added the cue. Not sure I should have done this all in one session (did take a balance break) but my pup was engaged and responsive throughout. We’ll work on reinforcing with future sessions. Thanks, Susan. This session greatly grew my confidence and, hopefully, was fun for my pup. ☺️🤍💙
So cool, Doreen! Thanks for the awesome feedback
Love love love this way of teaching a down. Was practising verbal cues last night. I had a good old laugh at myself. I thought I had taught a verbal cue for go round an object (round) but no, I've taught a visual cue.....a very subtle point👉. Would never have realised this if I hadn't watched your podcasts on TH-cam. I tried the stand still and cue....sit, down and stand...all on verbal.....most other things very subtle visual cues. Hilarious 😂. Thanks Susan. Really lovin the hair, you look fabulous.
Always good advice. I have been needing to revisit my 'downs' after my dog has been coming back from an injury and training has taken the backseat. This has come at exactly the right time! Thank you.
Can’t wait to try this with my pup! Thanks so much for all the fantastic information! We LOVE playing the games!
Well shiiiit….. ingenious! Wish I had known of Susan when I got my first puppy 4 years ago. The first “training “ place I took her to used the method where you push gently on the dog’s shoulder blades. It never felt right to me but I really didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t agree with other training methods there, so we never went back. Another trainer used a luring method, which I preferred much more than trying to force my dog down. But these methods are really great. This is really awesome. My dogs know “down” now but I’m going to play around with this and see how it goes!
So looking forward to teaching my obedience dog this method!
I trained 2 types of down, with different names. One from the site position, the other one from the. Standing position. Both using lure😢. I regret that I didn’t think about using one of your targets methods. Slowly I am retraining like if this was something ne, and it really makes a difference! Thank you.
Thanks Susan that was awesome.
I adore you, Susan Garrett! 🤩
Best explanation ever heard
I had to use the "under my leg" trick with my son's dog I trained as his service dog because she was formerly trained as show dog and as Susan says, "what they learn first they learn best." My dog I rescently got as an adult had also been trained as a show dog but she learned "down " by watching the other dog. 😉
This was SUCH an amazing podcast!!! I have been (slowly) going back over old cues and tricks and because I started H360 and I really want to focus on our D.A.S.H. now. Through these podcasts, Recallers, and H360 my understanding is growing and I am starting to generalize a tiny bit more how to use shaping +engagement, but Susan, you are such a creative genius coming up with these games. I play them and sometimes I tear up with gratitude and pride because thanks to you I have exponentially increased the amount of clarity I can provide my puppy. I know as we continue playing, we will continue to learn so much from you. I just love to watch my relationship with my puppy blossom. I cannot wait to try these games for down!!! I know we are going to have so much fun together!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING ❤️🤩🎉🎉🎉
Rachel, such an amazing note, you are awesome!
Windsor and I are working on Random Fast Sits and Downs and they are slow:). I'm loving this new game to help us pick up speed and drive. Thank you!
Love this, just what I was looking for.
WONDERFUL video! I have been struggling to teach my dog not to sit before down because of poor early training. Getting it right is actually part of the safety factor in the down or drop command, not just for the form in obedience trials. I am going to try the front feet target to see if she can fold down. We currently have a weird hand signal to get her into correct form but its awkward at best.
Thank you Sophie! Let us now how you go with the target.
Love it. Will try with my super relaxed lab. Looking to get him to understand recall with down. Really tough. As he’s making his way to me he doesn’t want to stop and drop. Maybe a target would help. Thanks.
I'm hoping you see this, I'm going to continue to watch your videos and try to learn your technique I love your training style. I'm a complete novice dog trainer with zero formal training. Could you recommend a starting point for my two two year old puppies? I'm currently trying to take both of their training back to step one so we can build that 5c's foundation.
Hi Trinity! Thanks for commenting and for being open to learning. The ItsYerChoice Summit is a wonderful way for you to start with your pups: dogsthat.com/y/iycsummit
Please, remember to subscribe so you're notified of the upcoming videos 🐕
Great like always! Thanks
Susan how do you go from perch work to the dog coming in and touching his front paws on a stick? Very important because in French ring one of the exercises is asking a dog for the three positions from a distance where the dog must never move his front paws
I just used this recently to teach my Rat Terrier to down. I couldn’t believe how fast it worked. And he had fun doing it. He is so proud of himself that he offers down ALL the time!! Thanks so much!!
I’d love another video on the paw target with a stick! I first taught with a lure so her down is kind of sloppy and she always seems to target me or my hands with her paws. I don’t have a raised surface, plus we are still working on tug, so that way would be tough. I’ve tried the bed and it hasn’t worked as well as I’d like.
My previous dog would not stay in a down position for more than 1-3 seconds. I think that first method would confuse her because it is less direct but the second one you showed may have worked with her. I wish I had seen this back when I was training her.
Get down is cue to boogie made me lol😆❤
I have been trying the version with the dog bed. I have been having issues where my dog searches, gets the treat, sometimes comes back and lays down, sometimes just wonders around looking for more treats. Also, when she dies down, I wouldn’t say it is always a very fast down. Am I doing this wrong, or is there something I am missing? Thank you!
Love you. Come to Holland. We need you!!
Another gem! Thank you! 💕
Added to the list that's now at 145, Pascale! (Sharon)
@@DogsThat indeed!
love your technique!
Thank you, Alberto!
I trained my 10 month old puppy with a food lure to the nose so now we are retraining the down. When she is in the position of down on the table and we are tugging, how do I get her off the table so she can get back on and go into the fast down? When she gives me the tug toy she stays in the down position waiting for me to say "get it" again. She is in HSTD and Crate Games so she has a strong release word and is pretty good at It's Yer Choice.
Hi Heidi, you could use your release cues here. Have fun with it!
Awesome
It is so overwhelming to think that you have to spend six months watching all these podcasts to learn how to train your dog.
More like 18 months
I feel so overwhelmed, it feels slow, but I see the foundation it forms and how each game builds on others and watching my dog slowly progress helps me persevere
Meanwhile, she’s making even more 😂
You better not buy a horse!
I’m going to join one of the classes so there is a road map. The results seem pretty quick, for instance in the “it’s yer choice “ game and hand target game.
OMG - just interested in 'lie down'
What about an immediate down when there’s an emergency and my dog is in motion? My girl has gotten good at downs from a distance (with either hand signal or the word “down”) now with the frisbee as her reward. Suggestions?
Please may we have a similar video to teach a "stand"? I would really appreciate that as I haven't achieved clarity with this verbal request yet!
Hi @S Palmer, here's a video blog for you on that very topic:
susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/10/train-your-dog-to-stand-on-cue/
This is fantastic! Thank you!! Now can you teach us how to teach "Stand"? three dogs, and I've never managed it! Of course they stand up, but they've never really understood exactly what I want them to do (stand still and wait, and allow the vet to examine you!). And can you tell us where you get the raised dog beds? I'm expecting a puppy and getting everything in place. They look amazing, but I've never seen one in the stores where I live! Thank you so much for all you are doing to help us have amazing lives with our dogs!
Hi Anna, thank you for such a lovely note! That's really exciting about your puppy, you are off to a super start.
Here's a video blog all bout training "Stand":
susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/10/train-your-dog-to-stand-on-cue/
For the raised dog beds, there are several really good types, we have one listed on our website:
dogsthat.com/favs/
Susan do you have a video of using the couch cushions for the down. I'm not envisioning it very well
I would love a video that goes into more detail about shaping down with a tug toy! I have a little bit of a hard time following exactly how you do it in thie video. One focused just on using a elevated platform and tug toy would be much appreciated 🙂
actually I'd be stoked about a more detailed video for each of these methods, it all seems great! 🙂
just found the one for a bed, specifically :-)
I am interested in the #10 way. Thank you
Thanks so much for this! Ive been in your Recallers program for the past several months and was really struggling with teaching my dog down because I didn’t know the Susan Garrett way! He knows how to more reliably now but I had used a hand signal and my body position is also clearly a huge cue. I would love to reteach the behavior to promote a more reliable down that isn’t so dependent on me standing directly in front of my dog. Could I see a more detailed video as you had mentioned of the bed or bath mat method?
Thanks for another great episode! :)
Interesting ❤
I have whippets and they will do anything to be able to down or even sit on a soft warm surface. Am I just being soft when I assume that asking them to down on hard cold surfaces is not on for their thin skins?
Podcast idea!
Top tips for Dog trainers learning how to coach people to train their dogs!
I taught my pup how to down with the mat target method!
Hi Colleen, have you seen the one on coaching?
th-cam.com/video/cOgXwaysP7w/w-d-xo.html
That’s awesome thank you! My puppys “down” is not only slow, it’s also “optional” now! 😅 we were taught at puppy pre-school to lure and although I moved on from a lure very quickly my kids didn’t so Zuri (puppy) knows she doesn’t have to if the guarantee of payment isn’t in front of her! So I’m excited to implement Susan’s method and get consistent and snappy “downs”.
I have a few questions… I’m wondering if I use the word “cookie” when delivering the treat in their bed? also
Is it ok to keep my down seperate from my kids? I’ve got a different word lined up, it’s just I don’t want them to sabotage it 😮😅 and
I still belong to a training club, which I think I’ll maintain we don’t do anything new in that class, mostly just practice good behaviour around other dogs and people. But there are lots of sit stays and down stays. My question is when the grass is wet and cold she doesn’t want to go down at all, I can take a carpet mat or step for her but she’s still reluctant. Should I just not ask her to do a down in this environment? Maybe while she’s getting used to enjoying it again or….??
Thanks HEAPS. I love what I’m learning and can’t believe how much additional content you share for free!!!!! You and your team are tops!!
I feel like this gives me home and overwhelms me some. I rescue and one of them is deaf (that's a whole different situation) but I just took in two Huskies and they are jumpers for sure! They have never had any obedience training! You videos give me so much hope but sometimes I don't know where to begin! Any suggestions?
Hi Kate, congratulations on your new dogs!
Susan did an episode specifically for rescue dogs: th-cam.com/video/-WTjF2ll7Xc/w-d-xo.html
Here's one for jumping dogs: th-cam.com/video/Iy4KUSCc3cw/w-d-xo.html
And there's one about hand signals that can help with your deaf dog: th-cam.com/video/QxCwNl3Wpg8/w-d-xo.html
Happy training!
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You missed the "sploot" position.😆 My girl frequently melts onto the floor with her hips spayed and her whole belly on the floor.... especially if the floor is slippery and she's tired of holding it all together. 😉😆
If the dog just looks for more coockies and diesn't know what's going on, the Händler just has a horrible, not existing relationship and/or has now clue how to correctly "lure". All my dogs, different breeds, had learned it by me using my hand and showing them to move their front body down. Yes, usually with a treat in my hand. Within 5 minutes all dogs did it fast and knew what I wanted, not focused on the treat as I use them only as payment, not force/lure. Then the cue added, once before the hand signal starts. It took none of them longer than 3 days to lay down on the vocal cue only even on Distanzen and they qere between 8 and 10 weeks old. Even my "difficult" breeds like Akita. My Shepherd now learned the vocal cue within 1 day and roughly 15min. I once tried the target thing but it takes forever as the dog follows the target ehich already is a trick. Why make it unecessarily difficult for the dog. If "luring" takes forever or the dog doesn't get the hand or vocal signal, it's because the trainer or handler is acting flawed and just "lures" with no reason and thinking behind it. I put lure in "" because that's not how it should be done. The same method but instead of luring use it as communication and it's the easiest for your dog to understand.
The target is just "luring" the dog as well. Just like if the treats are used incorrectly, the dog follows the target as ze knows it'll earn him a ckick and treat and then it's exact the same thing just without treats but still luring and makes it difficult or take longer. So I use my hand with or without treat like a target but without being a target that the dog blondly and without a brain touches. All my dogs learn to follow my non verbal signals and "lures" without being braindead
My dog is very submissive, but stubborn. She won’t come if she sees a rabbit or squirrel. She has to be leashes always or she will get lost/hurt chasing animals. And also, she will not DOWN. I don’t know if she’s scared or what. She just won’t do it. Any advice?
Hi Lori! Here's a video to help with dogs that chase wildlife: th-cam.com/video/Z9hXKLCK0Cg/w-d-xo.html
And one with ten different ways of teaching down: th-cam.com/video/E9IXKuewJDE/w-d-xo.html
Start 12:55
What if your puppy is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that is not very food/toy motivated OR high energy...how do you get them engaged?
Hi Kristen, here's a podcast episode that might help you and your pup: th-cam.com/video/xjiaOy_iWyw/w-d-xo.html
@Dogs That I actually jumped the gun bc I tried it with him that night with a random toy...I hyped it up a lot and I held it up over my head while sitting on the floor and then I put it on the ground and just held it there. He looked at me like I was crazy BUT then he did this playful pounce into a down to get the toy lol!!! Not the prettiest down but definitely the funniest 🤣 We did that a few times, ending with lots of praise and belly rubs and a successful down...thank you so much for helping add a new technique to my training bag of goodies!
My dog doesn't respond to toys or tug at all. If I use treats for all of it I miss the play aspect. How to resolve this?
Hello @Mystic65, in the video, you'll see how to play with treats. If you would like to play with toys with your dogs, here's a good starting place for you: susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/how-to-create-a-motivating-toy/
I cant follow everything in just words. Have you got videos please? 😊
Hi @nickiparton5013 we have a tutorial for shaping down with a bed - th-cam.com/video/P3z76PAz9AE/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Loved this video
I don’t understand why you say you don’t use food lures yet you are throwing or giving cookies. Only difference I can figure is you aren’t holding the treat in the position you want the dog to be in. Please explain! Thanks!
Hi Alesha! Susan explains in this other episode: th-cam.com/video/FxAeS2BNvKY/w-d-xo.html
And if you're interested in learning more about her dog training philosophy, here's a playlist: th-cam.com/video/VYzJsErAXhs/w-d-xo.html
Happy training!
My cockapoo doesn't want anything to do with a tug toy. She never learned to play.
Hi Carol, here's a blog post with help: susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/how-to-create-a-motivating-toy/
i'm overwhelmed by all this, i joined home school the dog, i've only been to the site once, i am so busy coordinating events at work i am training ad hoc, 😩
Life can sure get busy, Kate, most of us are the same with all we need to fit in. It can help to schedule moments in your week with intent, here's a short video blog called "Get Your Dog Training Done (And Make Your Week Awesome)", that's great inspiration: susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/08/get-your-dog-training-done/
@@DogsThat my pup is turning 20 weeks, so i'm trying to add more things. she sits, sit stay, is a fetching machine so i've added break time to start teaching cool down relaxing, she us a border collie mix rescue...i'm watching the herding really come out, she started freezing and pointing to the ball, (she has some german shorthaired pointer), so yesterday i labeled it watching it, she continues watching until i release with get it...i do love living with a schedule, and my job is all scheduling...so i understand how vital it is...my question is deciding what to train each day. i have been trying to do a brief training before the game of fetch. early on i think my sessions were too long, even though it wasn't too long for me, i made that change weeks ago....i know it takes so many reputations, i played search one night, never to repeat...so the schedule will help. i am getting a dehydrator to make some treats, that's part of the problem too, i forget to take my treat pouch, or i run out of treats too fast. any suggestions for home made treats would be helpful. thanks for your reply!
Hello @Kate, it sounds like you are going great. You might enjoy the video that's all about planning training: th-cam.com/video/vFZpn62pI60/w-d-xo.html
You can get a copy of our Tasty Treats eBook on our website: dogsthat.com/tastytreats/
Why teach down? Is there a dog sport that requires this? In retriever sports, we do not teach down because the retriever must see the handler over cover from a great distance away so laying down would be to a disadvantage.
its used often in obedience and agility, plus for many dogs (especially seniors) its easier to stay in a down than in a sit. I've taught many retrievers down, I just don't use it in competition.
Dogs don’t lay - chickens lay ;-)
I have a dog that doesn't care about toys at all. Do you have a way to teach an interest in toys, balls etc?
Hi Irene, here's a great eBook with help for you and your dog: dogsthat.com/y/motivating-toy
Happy playing! 🐾
You are not showing just talking
Not a girl! Boy!
my dog can give paws, sit, leave it, but can't lay down ahah
Give one of the targeting methods I mention in this video a try and let me know how it goes for your Julie!
who is Kim and is Ms. Garrett Lebanese???? oh my
Hi Taylor, Kim is part of the DogsThat team, and Susan is from Canada :)
It doesn't work
Gees stop talking and show me ..
Sorry
Love this! I've been trying to retrain my downs, knew they were muddled, not as fast as I needed for Rally, and often based more on my movements (popping up if/when I raised my upper body after treating). Also in the midst of dropping the Stay cues as well. Cannot wait to to put this plan into actions. Thank you!!
How to target without dog chewing/ pouncing on target stick 18.32
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Great video. Thank you.
This is how I have always trained my dogs , with the want for fun and pleasure . Never use food , never tell off always positive and such fun , you probably do not believe me but I know how they behave and what I can do with them . But I’m glad there are people around who do it this way . 🐾❤️🥰
Thank you! Very fresh perspective about how to teach down. I use luring techique but I don't notice the joy you show in the dog I train.
Besides, Yes my own dog is a slow DOWN dog. What a wonderful way of engaging a dog to love the down! I will try it!
Sorry but I missed the S and H in DASH.
I would love to have more Details about the paw and body target. And how can iI reduce the target to transfer the behaviour to any place ? Thanks 😊
do you reward your release word when you are first teaching it?
Hi @fundip43 yes, we teach release cues with reinforcement. We have a video on location specific reinforcement markers to hep - th-cam.com/video/5XDsCd39gCY/w-d-xo.html
In Norway we have a word used only for a dog to lie down. It is not used in any other Norwegian sentences I know of. Dekk is the word. Pronounced like deck in «a deck of cards».
That's so cool, thanks for sharing!
Hello! Which podcast or video should I watch to learn about releasing a dog from a down position. I want him to stay lying down for longer! Thanks so much!!
Hi @PaulineRentzelos we've got you! Here's a great video to help - th-cam.com/video/gNnnoqLbTzk/w-d-xo.html
Thank you!@@DogsThat
So my dog is a stray and she doesn’t know how to play with toys. There is very little interest. So how do you train a dog that doesn’t play or tug? I think she was used as a hunting dog. She has a very soft mouth and was very disciplined. Please help!
Hi Katrine, Susan has an episode about playing tug, you can watch here: th-cam.com/video/zBH2lKVxj58/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much!!
As I mentioned before, I would love to see a detailed demo video of shaping down with tug and an elevated platform/bed!
One question I have off the bat is:
My pup is too big to use the cato board for down, so I was going to use one of her raised cot beds- however, we've been working hard to encourage relaxation in all her beds. Will this high-energy shaping game be confusing to her, and decrease the calm factor for her bed when we're not actively shaping/playing?
First off no on get on floor, won’t work here. I had been using a five gallon bucket lid for my dog to target, she loves it and speeds to it to make it slide. She will race to that lid and look to me for a reward, or next command. Happy Dog 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤
I started doing this with my 5 month old border collie puppy but noticed he mostly offers the rolled down, with his hips to one side. His dog bed does not have sides on it, but it is thick like a couch cushion. What can I do to teach him to offer the sphinx down instead?
What about if I'm doing this with a dog that slows down like a turtle when she sees treats involved - meaning she won't skid to a stop when she comes to the bed?
This is so smart!
I use the bath mat game and Harry loves it. He is so happy he drops like a floppy toy on command now. He is so so happy to oblige
nice
Love 💕 it!!!
Do you have any video where you layer on the relaxed position & the flopped over position? Thanks!!
Hi @julianna digi is it that you'd like to teach relaxing in a bed? If so, we have a video to help - th-cam.com/video/t1fVPaWlc3w/w-d-xo.html
For shaping a down using a bed, here's an easy tutorial for you - th-cam.com/video/P3z76PAz9AE/w-d-xo.html
Awesome Video! How does Susan train a Sit?
Hi Tanja, here's a video that covers the foundations of sit - th-cam.com/video/gNnnoqLbTzk/w-d-xo.html
@@DogsThat Thank you!
What would you do if you can’t get up and down from the floor?
I have my students train from a foot stool if getting up and down is an issue. You can even do it from a kitchen chair, the dog will figure out what you want!
put your dog on a platform or "climb" and sit in a chair there. Then reduce the height to normal once you can add verbal cue and stand. I think platform is an excellent way to teach a stand and stay too.
Susan you are so incredibly generous with your free training videos. Thank you so much. I'm following you with my 5 month old staffy puppy and she is responding so well.