Down Days 3 & 4 (sweep + command)

Remember, you have another 200 Downs to complete (a total of 400 Downs) BEFORE advancing to the Down Correction.

Down, Days 3 & 4 (after you have completed 200 molding Downs).  Add command "Down" as soon as you begin the sweep of front legs out from the dog. 

Step 1

Leash position can be around the neck, collar high and snug, left hand on running links of collar..

or alternative leash position can be on the ground, foot on leash, collar high and snug and left hand on running links of the collar.

Step 2: 

Collar is still high and snug with left hand on running links of collar, as you begin the sweep of dogs legs command "Down".  

Close-up view of sweep...notice right hand palm is up?

Full view of sweep...notice right hand palm is up?

Step 3

Notice the left elbow is helping the dog to remain in the Down position?  Notice the right foot is slightly forward for 2 reasons, one the human doesn't fall over and two the right foot forward is a body language cue to the dog to stay in the Down position until told otherwise.

Notice that Mike is squatting, but still using his left elbow to keep the dog in a Down position?

Step 4
The dog is relaxed so the collar is slack and Mike begins that long, s...l...o....w, stroke of praise.  He is communicating to the dog with this touching praise that the dog is doing the right thing as well as being able to feel if the dog has relaxed.  Should the dog bounce up, the dog would immediately be put back into the Down position with no command.  The dog is responsible for holding this position until told otherwise.  Notice, Mike's right foot is forward so another body cue to the dog to hold this position.

Mike is continuing the long, s....l...o....w, stroke of praise from shoulder to hip as he straightens up.

Step 5
Mike has now brought right foot forward into heel position and closed with his left foot (again, another body cue to the dog to hold this position) and is getting his hands ready to do an Exercise Finish.

Step 6
Voila!  Exercise Finish and dog receives praise with stroke of praise down her back...notice Sanity's happy tongue?