The Miraculous Down Stay

Sometimes a canine educator resembles a contractor whose house is falling down. They are so focused on their business working with other dogs, they put their own dogs’ training on the back burner and assume they will become exemplary trained dogs by osmosis.

And sometimes they do something which alerts the canine educator to “Hellooooo, Lady. We could use a little brushing up on our skills.”

One area my dogs showed me could use some improvement is what they should doing during our Human Time when we are eating, outside hanging out, or watching TV. The other (discussed in a future blog post)is door behavior when the bell rings or people knock, and then enter our home.

Jazzy is cake. She just does this naturally. I think it is because her joy is just being in close proximity to us. So one out of four has this mastered. Hence, time to strengthen the Down Stay. Now all my dogs know this command. Granted Orvie has had less practice being the fourth child (sometimes I reminisce and remember how easy it was to just train one or even two dogs, but I can’t trade two children away, so I need to get my act together as a Dog Mother:)

LIving with four dogs makes training……”interesting”…Training is always easier with the “Divide and Conquer Method.” Work with each dog separately. Then work with two dogs. Then three and finally all four dogs.

However, my dogs prefer to ALL be worked with at the same time. Sometimes I can accomodate this like with the Down Stay, since they all know the command.

We went to the table. I gave the command. One dog immediately downed and stayed. Guess who? ha ha. After Jazz, Rosie joined the Down Stay. Then Kimmie realized “Ok, guess we are working on the Down Stay, and I want treats ,so yep! Count me in!” And lastly Orvie decided to do his Down Stay. Again the little pupper has had very very little practice. I am so lucky the little guy is bright, catches on quickly, and really has learned by observation of the other dogs more than my direct instruction.

We will practice that every place I want that Down Stay. We will practice in the living room, kitchen, patio, and bedroom. Bedroom? Oh heck, yeah.:)

For me the trick is recognizing I need to deal with an issue. Once I start I stick with it. Consistency is important , even for bright dogs who wish to please.

For you newbies out there, practice the Down first. Then add the Stay. With the Stay, work on duration first. Then distance, and if you really want to be sure the Stay is solid, add distractions like a squeaky toy or someone clapping or running by.

We want dogs to be loved and cherished but not to run our world. They can lead our pack, but honestly, it is not their preference. They prefer structure, just like children. Getting a solid Down Stay will keep your pack in balance. Here’s to living in harmony with our fur babies!