Yelling “down” isn’t working. Here’s why. (Photo: a Frenchie/Boston Terrier mix stands with his front paws touching a person’s leg)
Are you making this mistake with your new puppy?
If you are using “down” for two different things, you’re confusing your puppy.
Confused puppies seem like they aren’t listening to you, when in reality they are confused by your directions because the directions are unclear.
I hear clients, friends, and people on the street saying “down” to their puppies and dogs when the puppy’s two front paws are on someone’s leg.
Often the owner is repeating herself over and over as her puppy plays patty-cake (or Wolverine, if the puppy is older and in need of a nail trim) on a stranger’s legs. “Down. Mushroom, down. Get down. Down! I’m so sorry, I don’t know why she’s not listening. Down! DOWN!” This is paired with pulling the dog’s harness many, many times. One of the worst parts of this scenario is the stranger petting the puppy, rewarding this terrible behaviour.
This is what your dog thinks “down” means…because you taught him (Photo: German Shepherd mix lying down on a balcony)
Here’s why “down” isn’t working:
If you are also teaching your puppy to lay down on command, you are confusing your puppy when they are jumping on people because you’re not actually asking for a “down” in that moment. What you mean, is “off.”
Reserve “down” for “lie down” and use “off” for “I want four paws on the floor right now.”
Use “off” when your puppy puts her front paws on:
-your furniture
-a stranger’s legs
-your countertop
-your legs
-your children’s legs
-anything else you don’t want her front paws on
Do your very best to never allow her paws to do any of those things. You can prevent unwanted behaviours by leaving a leash on and stopping her just as she’s taking off. Her muddy paws don’t ever need to make contact with that lady’s nice white pants. It’s on you to get in front of these behaviours. I would also use a slip lead and ditch the harness — it’s not helping you communicate with your dog.
This is literally teaching the dog to pull on the leash. Thud. (Photo: chihuahua on a harness pulling toward a hand that is holding a cookie.)
Do your very best not to repeat yourself as well. Changing “down, down, down. Down! DOWN!” to “off, off, off OFF! OFFFFFFF!” is not the answer.
Say it once. Follow through if your puppy doesn’t listen. Reward her with getting it correct. For example: Your puppy puts her paws on your father’s legs. You say, “off.” Your puppy returns her front paws to the ground. “Good off,” delivered with a nice smile.
Lead on, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Upsplash Images (a Frenchie/Boston Terrier mix stands with his front paws touching a person’s leg,) Upsplash Images (German Shepherd mix lying down on a balcony,) Tamara Bellis @tamarabellis (chihuahua on a harness pulling toward a hand that is holding a cookie.)