Teaching "Down"

How to Teach Your Dog to Lay Down – The Fun, Friendly Way
by Giene Keyes, Moon Dog Training

Teaching your dog to lay down is a foundational behavior that comes in handy everywhere—from vet visits to brewery patios to rainy-day chill sessions at home. It's also a great impulse-control skill that builds calmness and focus.
Let’s walk through how to teach “down” using positive reinforcement, a marker word like “yes”, and a few creative twists for when your dog needs a little extra help figuring it out.

Method 1: The Classic Lure
Best for: Puppies, food-motivated dogs, and first-timers

1. Start with your dog in a sit.
   If they’re standing, no worries—you can lure them straight into the down from there too.
2. Use a treat to lure their nose down and forward.
   Hold the treat right at their nose, then slowly move it down to the floor between their front paws. Once they follow it, draw it slightly forward along the ground—like you’re making an “L” shape with your hand.
3. Mark it!
   As soon as elbows hit the floor, say “yes!” and deliver the treat. The marker word lets your dog know exactly what behavior earned the reward.
4. Repeat and add the cue.
   After a few successful reps, start saying “down” just before you lure. Over time, you can fade the lure and use only the verbal cue.

Method 2: Under-the-Leg Trick
Best for: Dogs who pop back up, or who think lying down is suspicious
This creative method works wonders for dogs who aren’t quite getting the picture.

1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent.
   Create a little tunnel with your leg—your foot flat on the ground, knee pointing up.
2. Lure your dog under your leg with a treat.
   Most dogs will naturally crouch or lay down to fit. The moment their elbows hit the floor, mark it with “yes!” and treat.
3. Practice makes comfy.
   Repeat several times. Once your dog is reliably laying down under your leg, start removing your leg little by little and switch to a verbal cue.

This method helps guide their body into the right position without pressure, and for many dogs, it’s just enough of a game to unlock that “a-ha!” moment.

Method 3: Capturing
Best for: Calm dogs or lazy afternoons
Sometimes, the best way to teach a behavior is simply to catch it in the act.

1. Wait for it.
   Hang out with your dog when they’re likely to lay down on their own—after a walk, during a chill moment, or when you’re working nearby.
2. As soon as they lay down, say “yes!” and drop a treat.
   Don’t worry about using the word “down” yet—you’re just helping them associate laying down with great things.
3. Repeat over several sessions.
   Dogs are smart. After enough repetition, you’ll notice they start laying down to ask for a treat. That’s when you can start saying “down” right before they do it, and then reward like usual.

A Few Extra Tips

• Don’t push your dog’s shoulders or back. It’s confusing at best, and it may make some dogs uncomfortable or resistant.
• Keep your sessions short and upbeat. A few minutes a day is perfect.
• Use a non-slip surface. Dogs are less likely to lay down if the floor feels slippery or cold.

Teaching “down” can be a great bonding exercise, and there’s no one right way to do it. Whether you’re luring, capturing, or having a little tunnel-time under your leg, the goal is to make learning fun, clear, and rewarding for your pup.
Happy training!

Giene Keyes
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Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, offering positive in-home training, behavior consultations, and group classes across Southern Wisconsin. With over 30 years of experience, Giene specializes in manners and aggression cases, working closely with vets, shelters, service dog organizations, and dog daycares to improve animal behavior and staff education.
A Certified Professional Dog Trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Giene is also a licensed judge with the WI Dept. of Agriculture. She has taught Pet CPR & First Aid for the Red Cross, presented behavior seminars nationwide, and even taught chicken training for team-building events. Giene has been featured on radio, TV, and in magazines—including the cover of Wisconsin Woman—and is the author of a popular chicken training book.
In addition to her behavior work, Giene is a responsible breeder of AKC Champion Portuguese Water Dogs and Lagotti Romagnoli, focusing on health, temperament, and structure. Her puppies are raised in a loving, home environment with a strong foundation in early socialization and lifetime support.