Help! Won't lie down at training...

[louby86]

My pup started off really well at dog training, we were getting lots of positive feedback etc and he was really enjoying it too and obviously getting a lot from it because he'd take himself off to bed as soon as we got home. The last couple of weeks however have been different, I don't know if it's because the ground was frosty last week and wet this week but he just refuses to do 'down'. He'll sit and stand and do everything else, and he did behave better this week than last but still he refused to lie down. It's getting frustrating because he'll do it at home all the time and will do it when we have visitors (both human and other dog distractions). Does anyone have any tips on what I can do to help him to lie down next week? Thank you

Thanks, sounds like that could be a trick for the husband to try if it's wet next week and he still can't do it

I'm going to try getting him to do his positions halfway through his walk in one of the fields too to try and get him used to the grass, I think he's just too used to the carpet at home. We had a new trainer this week too an he'd bought home made liver cake and he didn't want to leave his side so I'll make that too. I'm hoping he'll get his kcgcs puppy award sooner rather than later so we can go bronze training on a Sunday lunchtime rather than 9pm under floodlights

How's everything else going with your pup? I can't believe how fast time has gone since we all went on the new puppy thread

my nervous dog wouldnt do a down in a class enviroment for a really long time, she was not comfortable around all the other dogs. I went with lots of bribery and not pushing her if she is not happy about it. you know he can do it at home so dont push it when in different situations. down is a submissive position and if there is a reason the dog doesnt want to be in a submissive position then dont force it, although lots of treats and bribery usually works. (very far from an expert so expect to be corrected).

I suppose what I really need to get my head around is why he did it to start with but won't do it now, I'm worried I've done something that's making him not want to do it in a class environment, although he won't do it for my husband either! I ask him a few times and if he doesn't do it he's not treated and we move on to the next part, I don't want him to get loads of attention for not doing something if that makes sense. I'm going to take him round to my parents later and do our 10 minutes of training in their garden to see how he gets on in a different place

That's great to hear

We had teething around Christmas time but it seems to have worn off now, the only non doggy thing to get damaged was the tv remote and that was my fault

Apart from not doing lie down at training he's been amazing, don't get me wrong I've had moments where I've wanted to rip my hair out but I'm so glad we've got him and can't imagine him not being here.

We've been socialising him with lots of babies and children as our first baby is due next month (mad I know) and they've told us at training how nice they think it is that we've not missed any because of how huge I'm getting, they just grin at me trudging across the field in my wellies! I've made my husband promise too that unless I give birth on a Tuesday or Wednesday he'll take him training on his own but I'll be back the next week because we won't let his little routine change, after all he was here first

Yay! We have progress! Pup did everything at training this week Poor dog, probably got fed up of being told to sit, down, stand and stay halfway through his walks, in our back garden instead of the house and every time we visited somewhere new!

On countdown now to starting bronze when he's 26 weeks...