Little dog down advice

[boosiebutt]

What's a good way for me to teach the kids "Down"? I've seen lure techniques (which is how I started out with "Sit", but since P&P are so close to the ground to start out with, they can just duck their heads to grab low treats, instead of getting down. The puppy kindergarten has us "sit" them then grab their front legs and move them to down. But we're supposed to tap the ground in front of them with one hand, say down, move their front legs out with another hand, and keep their butts down from them trying to get up and back away from us with yet another hand. (That's three, count 'em three hands) Besides which, I have another puppy with me trying to play while I'm trying to get the first one to sit! Whew!

Anybody have any other advice?

[boosiebutt]

I actually had the other pup out while training only because I was at puppy Kindergarten, and my mom was sick... so I had the two dogs at once. Not something I'd try regularly! Normally my Mom and I train them at the same time. Thanks for the advice, though! The under-the-leg trick sounds great!

[imported_Kat]

put one hand on the puppy's bum and slide a treat down under its nose and under his chin. When he is in the down tell him the command and praise him :wink:

[Kerislc]

I have found that incorporating a hand signal for the command worked very well for Scout. He learned the signal before the word. Once you find a technique to teach him, use a signal along with the word. I hold my hand flat, palm down. Now, if Scout sees that, I don't have to even say anything and he will lay down.