fading the lure

C

coopersmom

Forums Enthusiast
Casey is still not doing a down without my using a lure. I know I've used it waaay to long (blame Petsmart training). I'm trying to fade it now, but Casey is very smart and intune with what I'm doing. I fade the lure, he looks: No lure, no down. Any suggestions?
 
Can you try it in a different position to change up the pattern a little? Maybe from the front or the heel position whichever you don't normally do? Maybe try doing a sit and walk around to heel position before treating and then doing the same with downing even if you have to lure but not give the treat and then walk around and treat while still down? Just trying to think of ways to break the pattern. I never lured down so I never had to break it.
 
I did the same thing wrong with Cadbury. What worked for me was having a lure in the hand I was guiding him with, but rewarding out of the other free hand. So he never actually ate the 'lure' treat. Eventually I stopped having a lure in my hand, but kept the hand closed so he thought I had something, and continued to reward from the free hand. Didn't take long for him to cotton on and I was able to open the hand.

Btw, I have real trouble getting Merlin to perform a down in new places, because apparently it is a position that makes dogs feel vulnerable. So, for instance, this can be a problem when we have to do the table at an agility comp, though so far none of the organisations I have attended are using the table. But just something I have to bear in mind.
 
Have you tried using a hand signal when you request lay down? My little boy loves having signals for his commands... Use the lure with the hand signal and wean him off the lure. Do not reward him unless he does the behavior on point. Make him earn it.;)
 
My Casey is just too smart I guess. Trying all the suggestions but if he doesn't smell the treat/lure, he aint going down. I do use hand signals and the only three times he has actually went down, which were more than a month ago, was with the hand signals. We will keep trying. The "down" is all that is keeping him from getting his CGC. He does everything else fine.

Maybe it's a confidence issue with going into the down.
 
Does the lure/treat have to be in your hand? Can you start with it in your hand, then move it next to you, then behind your back, then onto a table next to you, etc? That he knows it's still there, you can reward quickly, but it should allow you to fade it so that eventually it can be in the cookie jar on the other side of the room.
 
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