Down: Teaching Your Dog to Remain Lying Down Until Released

Video Tutorial Coming Soon: A video demonstration will be added to accompany this written guide.

“Down” asks your dog to lie with their elbows and body resting on the ground and remain there until you release them or give another instruction. With an implied stay, you do not need to add the word “stay.” Maintaining the position is part of the down cue itself.

Teach this in two parts: first, help your dog understand how to lie down; then, gradually build their ability to remain in position. Your dog may rest their hips to one side or lie upright on their chest, provided they are comfortable and remain down.

Helpful Cues to Know Before Practicing

A reward marker, such as “yes”: This identifies the correct response and tells your dog a reward is coming. Deliver the reward while your dog remains lying down.

A release cue, such as “free”: This tells your dog when they may leave the position. Introduce the release cue before building longer holds.

Sit is helpful but optional: Some dogs learn down easily from a sit, while others find it easier from a standing position.

Name recognition is helpful but optional: You can use your dog’s name to gain their attention before giving the cue.

If your dog already understands “down” as a brief action, begin with short holds to introduce the expectation of remaining there until released.

What You Will Need

Have small, easy-to-eat treats ready and choose a quiet location with a comfortable, nonslip surface. A rug or mat may help dogs who hesitate to lie on a hard or slippery floor.

Keep sessions approximately two to three minutes long. If your dog appears uncomfortable lowering themselves, repeatedly avoids the position, or struggles to get up, stop and address their comfort before continuing.

Step 1: Guide Your Dog into a Down

Begin with your dog sitting or standing close to you. Hold a treat near their nose and slowly lower it toward the floor between their front paws.

As they follow the treat, move it slightly forward along the floor if needed. Keep the movement slow and small so they can lower their body rather than walk after your hand.

The moment their elbows and body reach the ground, say “yes” and deliver the treat low between their front paws.

Do not push on their shoulders, pull their legs forward, or use the leash to force them down.

Step 2: Help Them Succeed if They Hesitate

If your dog lowers their head but does not lie down, reward a small movement toward the position during the first few attempts. Gradually look for a deeper bend in the elbows, then elbows touching the floor, and finally the complete down.

If their bottom rises while their front end lowers, pause and adjust the lure closer to their body. If they walk forward, reduce how far you move the treat.

You can also capture the behavior: when your dog naturally lies down while awake and engaged, say “yes” and gently deliver a treat between their paws. Wait until the behavior becomes predictable before adding the verbal cue.

Step 3: Release Promptly

After rewarding the down, pause briefly, then say “free.” Encourage your dog to move if needed using the release exercise they have already practiced.

The first hold may last only one or two seconds. Release while your dog is still lying down rather than waiting for them to stand.

Your dog is allowed to remain resting after the release. The word gives permission to move; it does not require movement.

Step 4: Fade the Food Lure

Once your dog follows the lure readily, repeat the same motion with an empty hand. Mark the completed down and reward from your other hand or a treat pouch.

Gradually reduce the movement until it becomes a clear hand signal. You may initially need to bend toward the floor, then slowly practice from a more upright position.

If your dog struggles, return to a smaller change and help them succeed before reducing the prompt again.

Step 5: Add the Verbal Cue

When your dog predictably lies down in response to the hand signal, say “down” once, just before giving the signal.

Mark when they complete the position, reward while they remain down, and release after a brief hold.

Over time, pause briefly after saying “down” to give your dog an opportunity to respond before providing the hand signal.

Step 6: Build the Implied Stay

Ask for a down, mark the response, and reward in position. Wait one additional second, then deliver another treat low between their paws before releasing.

You do not need to repeat “down” or add “stay.” Remaining in position is the behavior you are reinforcing.

Increase duration in small increments and include easy, short repetitions between longer ones. Your dog may shift their hips or adjust their paws for comfort without ending the down, provided their elbows and body remain on the ground.

Step 7: Respond Calmly to Early Movement

If your dog sits or stands before being released, calmly reset and ask for another down. Shorten the next hold and reward sooner.

An established neutral correction cue, such as “oops,” is optional. A quiet reset is sufficient while your dog is learning.

If early movement happens repeatedly, reduce the difficulty. Check the surface, shorten the duration, remove distractions, or reward more frequently.

Step 8: Introduce Your Movement

Once your dog can remain down while you stand still, add a small movement, such as straightening your posture, shifting your weight, or moving one foot.

Reward in position if they remain down, then release.

Gradually progress to one small step away. Return to your dog to deliver the reward and initially release from beside them. Keep your movements calm and predictable.

Step 9: Add Distractions Gradually

Begin practicing around mild distractions, such as a small hand movement or a quiet change of location.

Build duration, distance, and distractions separately. When you increase one, reduce the others to keep the exercise achievable.

Continue delivering rewards in position and using a clear release to finish each repetition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Holding the reward too high: Your dog may sit or stand to reach it. Deliver treats low and within easy reach.

Moving the lure too far forward: This may encourage walking instead of lying down. Use a small, controlled movement.

Expecting an immediate response on an uncomfortable surface: Begin somewhere your dog can lie down comfortably.

Repeating the cue throughout the hold: Say “down” once, then reinforce remaining in position.

Releasing only after your dog gets up: Start with short holds and release while they are still successful.

Confusing “down” with “off”: Use “down” for lying down and a separate cue for getting off furniture or keeping paws off people.

When to Progress

Increase difficulty when your dog responds to the first cue and remains lying down until released in approximately eight out of ten repetitions across several short sessions.

A reliable down with an implied stay includes entering the position, maintaining it comfortably, and understanding when it ends. Continue practicing all three as you introduce new locations and distractions.