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My MiniS is 3 years old. He has learned many commands, is well socialized, can handle many unplanned situations. But the "Down" command is beyond our grip.
He will "Down" beside me when I'm on the sofa or in bed. I can even pat the spot with my hand where I want him to lie down. He knows "Off" is paws on floor. I do not intermix these two commands.
This is the typical sequence (closest to success) used in training with a valued treat. I will be in front of Shadow kneeling on 1 knee. "Shadow. Sit." He sits immediately. He can smell the treat, but does not receive it. I say, "Shadow. Down." as I lower the treat in front of his nose to the floor between his front paws. His nose follows the treat to the floor. Then he stands up on all 4. Ok......no treat. Repeat with a slight variation. "Shadow. Down.", move treat in front of his nose to the floor, but ahead of his paws so he needs to extend his head........he stands on all 4. Both these techniques are attempted multiple times before I quit and we move on to the next activity. I have even tried to influence him by applying a gentle pressure on his shoulders while the treat is moving to the floor....he stands.
So, any hints? How to I push through this Schnauzer head and keep his butt on the floor to make a "Down." command. In truth, I don't care how he lays down, just as long as he goes into a "Down" position.
This is a bit frustrating because I know his intelligence and learning is very high and keen. He learned the "Home" command after about 3 attempts from the elevator. We exit the elevator, I can remove his leash/collar, "Shadow. Home.", then off he goes to stand in front of our apartment door.
I have been trying to train this little twerp the "Down" command for about 2 years........that is how he knows "Down" when I'm on the sofa or in bed. I know he knows the command.
I'm sure the problem lies with me, but I can't sift it out.
He will "Down" beside me when I'm on the sofa or in bed. I can even pat the spot with my hand where I want him to lie down. He knows "Off" is paws on floor. I do not intermix these two commands.
This is the typical sequence (closest to success) used in training with a valued treat. I will be in front of Shadow kneeling on 1 knee. "Shadow. Sit." He sits immediately. He can smell the treat, but does not receive it. I say, "Shadow. Down." as I lower the treat in front of his nose to the floor between his front paws. His nose follows the treat to the floor. Then he stands up on all 4. Ok......no treat. Repeat with a slight variation. "Shadow. Down.", move treat in front of his nose to the floor, but ahead of his paws so he needs to extend his head........he stands on all 4. Both these techniques are attempted multiple times before I quit and we move on to the next activity. I have even tried to influence him by applying a gentle pressure on his shoulders while the treat is moving to the floor....he stands.
So, any hints? How to I push through this Schnauzer head and keep his butt on the floor to make a "Down." command. In truth, I don't care how he lays down, just as long as he goes into a "Down" position.
This is a bit frustrating because I know his intelligence and learning is very high and keen. He learned the "Home" command after about 3 attempts from the elevator. We exit the elevator, I can remove his leash/collar, "Shadow. Home.", then off he goes to stand in front of our apartment door.
I have been trying to train this little twerp the "Down" command for about 2 years........that is how he knows "Down" when I'm on the sofa or in bed. I know he knows the command.
I'm sure the problem lies with me, but I can't sift it out.