Down Correction, Days 5 & 6

Remember your hands MUST be in this position to do an effective Down correction. Keep your knees soft, say, "Down" and if your dog doesn't drop like a rock from the 400 Downs you've already do, do a Down Correction.

Down correction is done with a push/pull at approximately a 45 degree angle from the dogs chest to the LEFT, then another push/pull at approximately a 45 degree angle from the dogs chest to the RIGHT. This knocks the dog off balance (much like the sweeping removes the ability of the dog to remain upright)and gets the dog down quickly for which you can praise the dog for doing the right thing.

IF/WHEN you are ready for a Down Correction (you have completed the prior 400 Downs) and you say, "Down" and the dog begins to drop, whisper "Yes" but continue the Down correction. The point of this is to set it up as a game and have the dog "play" at trying to beat the correction by dropping quickly.

IF/WHEN the dog starts to go down on command, you whisper "yes" and the dog drops like a rock to the ground, RELEASE the bundled up leash, give that long, s...l....o....w stroke of praise to reward the dog, and do an Exercise Finish. Praise again.

Roxanne