Down

Cue: Verbal "down" or hand signal. (Not simultaneous.)

Description: On cue, dog will lie down from either a stand or a sit and will maintain the position for up to half an hour even when handler is not present.

Elements:

• Behavior specifics: Initial position is a sphinx down. Dog may shift to one hip.
• Duration: Up to 30 minutes.
• Distance: Respond to cue up to fifty feet away.
• Latency: Immediate.
• Position: Assume position from stand or sit. Pax should not change his position relative to me, except in specific situations where that is specifically trained. I should be able to be in any physical position.
• Locations: Everywhere.
• Distractions: Anything and everything. Especially distractions common in a dog show or performance environment.
• Other: Must maintain even when I'm out of sight.

Training Plan: (Accomplish each level in multiple locations of gradually increasing distractions.)

1. Get the behavior -- down from a sit.
2. Add the verbal cue.
3. Get the behavior -- down from a stand.
4. Add the verbal cue.
5. Reduce latency.
6. Add distance and duration necessary for handler to walk 20 feet away and back.
7. Handler walks out 20 feet, waits one minute, and returns.
8. Add one distraction.
9. Build to three minutes, handler 40 feet away with return, and two distractions.
10. Add a hand signal.
11. Down-stay for one minute with handler out of sight.
12. Down from a sit (on verbal and signal) from 10 feet away.
13. Down from a stand (on verbal and signal) from 10 feet away.
14. Out of sight down-stay for four minutes.

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