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Training A Puppy
To Lie 'Down' On Command

"To watch someone training a puppy, and to see the puppy respond positively, can be an amazing
and truely rewarding sight"

What follows are 3 different ways of training a puppy to lie down. Each option is set out in simple step-by-step instructions to help with training your Cocker Spaniel puppy to lie 'Down' on command.

Max, our golden cocker spaniel. Training a puppy to lie down on command. Photo © About Cocker Spaniels.com 2008-2009

Option 1 - Training A Puppy To Lie 'Down' On Command

Call your puppy and get him to sit in front of you.

Take a treat and hold it between your fingers.

Let your puppy sniff the treat, and then slowly move your hand away from your puppy's nose, down towards the floor and between his paws. When your hand reaches the floor, move it back a little, towards you. Your hand movement should be fluid and resemble an 'L' shape.

Your puppy will lower his head to follow the treat and, as his head nears the floor, his body will automatically follow until he is in a lying-down position.

Don't move the treat too far away from him, otherwise he may try to stand in order to reach it. Similarly, if you don't move far enough away, he may not be able to lie down properly because your hand will be in the way.

As your puppy moves into the down position, say the command word, 'Down', then praise him with the words, 'Down, Good Down', and give him a treat.

Training a puppy needs patience, and if your Cocker Spaniel doesn't get it right, don't worry; simply go back to the beginning and try again. Repeat as often as necessary until your puppy gets it right.

If your puppy seems to be having some difficulty with this command, you could try alternative techniques; Option 2 or 3 below.

Option 2 - Training A Puppy To Lie 'Down' On Command

Have your puppy sit on the floor and sit slightly to his right-hand side. Bend your legs at the knees and put your feet flat on the floor, about 60 cms away from your bottom.

Pick up a treat and hold it between the fingers of your right hand.

Thread your right hand under your knees and up towards your puppy's nose and let him sniff the treat. As he moves towards it, lower your hand to the floor and slowly bring your arm back through your legs. Your fingers holding the treat should now be on the floor at the other side of the triangle of your bent legs.

Your puppy will try to follow, but will have to lower himself quite close to the floor to get through your legs. This will force him naturally into a down position. As his tummy touches the floor, say the command word, 'Down', then praise him with the words, 'Down, Good Down', and give him a treat.

Another alternative method for training a puppy to lie down on command is set out below in Option 3.

Option 3 - Training A Puppy To Lie 'Down' On Command

Rosa, a beautiful black English Cocker Spaniel - Photo courtesy of Hjordisv. Training a puppy to lie down on command.

Put a treat on the floor about 30cms in front of your puppy. Place your hand, palm down, over the treat. Your puppy will try to sniff it and may try to get at it; don't let him have it. Don't say anything to him; don't give him any commands. While he's trying to work out how he's going to get the treat from underneath your hand, he may well lie down on the floor. As soon as he's fully down, give your puppy the treat and praise him.

Repeat the Down training exercise between 5 and 10 times every day, and practice at every opportunity.

As your puppy's training progresses, don't offer him a treat every time he gets it right, as this will teach him to follow commands only when food is offered; instead, occasionally reward your puppy with extra praise and a stroke or a gentle pat on the head.

When you feel your puppy has mastered the Down command, try using the vocal and visual commands separately. If your puppy fails to get it right, continue with the training, and test him again later. Do not move on until you are certain that he's learned each lesson.

Training a puppy to follow obedience commands shouldn't be rushed, but taken slowly. Only when your puppy has mastered the 'Down' command, will it be time to move on to the 'Wait' and 'Stay' commands.