Need Some Info On Training Obediance

[Lisa]

No particular order. I guess I never really thought it mattered. I just teach it from both right from the beginning.

[OrsonDogge]

I taught Orson down from a sit, before i knew any better.
Then with Lolita, i taught her down from a stand.
Orson will ONLY go down after he sits first, Lo will go down and doesnt have to sit.
Such a difference!!

[2bully]

Originally Posted by Lisa

No particular order. I guess I never really thought it mattered. I just teach it from both right from the beginning.

I have trained it both ways and have found in my experience that if I train the down from a standing position first that the down is crisper/more sharp when I transition to it from the sit as well. Maybe its due to training down first rather than the sit.

[forever_pit]

I think it probably depends on the dog and on the individual idiosyncrasies on the handler's part.
Also, is it possible that a dog that will only down from a sit doesn't really understand what the command means?

I taught Gator the down by luring him from a sit. Since day one he has thrown himself to the ground for his downs and - so far - I have not had any problems with that same enthusiasm transitioning to downs from the stand position.

For those of you with problems going from the stand to the down...
What have you done to try and correct the misunderstanding?
What has worked?
I'm not trying to start anything or diss on anyone's training...I just like talking about this stuff.

ETA: Sorry OP, I forgot to address your question.
I agree with doing the NILIF and then looking for a trainer. Just make sure that you get a trainer that will help you reach your goals. If you interested in doing sport work of some kind find someone who can help you raise and train the pup accordingly.

[Cinder]

Same here...they taught us to teach dumbfart from a sit to a down, but never once have I asked him to "down" and he hesitate or go to a sit first. He just plops right down. I'm interested in the answer, too!

[2bully]

Originally Posted by forever_pit

I think it probably depends on the dog and on the individual idiosyncrasies on the handler's part.
Also, is it possible that a dog that will only down from a sit doesn't really understand what the command means?

I taught Gator the down by luring him from a sit. Since day one he has thrown himself to the ground for his downs and - so far - I have not had any problems with that same enthusiasm transitioning to downs from the stand position.

For those of you with problems going from the stand to the down...
What have you done to try and correct the misunderstanding?
What has worked?
I'm not trying to start anything or diss on anyone's training...I just like talking about this stuff.

ETA: Sorry OP, I forgot to address your question.
I agree with doing the NILIF and then looking for a trainer. Just make sure that you get a trainer that will help you reach your goals. If you interested in doing sport work of some kind find someone who can help you raise and train the pup accordingly.

I don't think that a dog is confused or doesn't understand the command down. I think the dogs that sit first have been trained in the manner: is told sit then told down. Through the repetitive nature and always in that order the dog is taught to sit before it can down when commanded to do so. When I think about it I envision cookie cutter OB training (petsmart).

[gazar]

Here are some sites that may help along with the NILIF.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=pup...8&fr=yfp-t-701

[BanterBull]

To teach the sit and down positions, don't you have to physically manipulate the sit, but can lure to the down (whether from standing or sitting)? I don't see a way possible to lure a dog to a sit position, right?

[2bully]

Originally Posted by BanterBull

To teach the sit and down positions, don't you have to physically manipulate the sit, but can lure to the down (whether from standing or sitting)? I don't see a way possible to lure a dog to a sit position, right?

No you can lure the dog into a sit without being physical. With treat in hand move treat back towards the dog's hind end while slowly raising the treat so the dog head is looking at the sky and keep going for the hind end until dog sits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBjANF9GUgM
Something like that. I like this one a little better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTgBSHxNqc0

[Jackson821]

Very good info thanks guys I am feeling more confident everyday.