Front end first for 'down'?

[Greenepony]

In our BN class on Monday, the instructor gave us the homework of reteaching down to be front first. The reasoning was that for drop on command you would have points deducted for the dog sitting first if they went back-end first. Admittedly, Olive's down is slow in class since she's stressed- we're working on that but I looked up videos from akc nationals over the past few years and most seem to be back-end first.
Thoughts?

 

[Jean]

In our BN class on Monday, the instructor gave us the homework of reteaching down to be front first. The reasoning was that for drop on command you would have points deducted for the dog sitting first if they went back-end first. Admittedly, Olive's down is slow in class since she's stressed- we're working on that but I looked up videos from akc nationals over the past few years and most seem to be back-end first.
Thoughts?

Several dogs ago (and of course different breeds than the Sheltie I now have) an instructor had us teach "down" from "stand"--not from "sit"--so there would be no pause. Is THIS what your instructor is talking about?

 

[Greenepony]

Several dogs ago (and of course different breeds than the Sheltie I now have) an instructor had us teach "down" from "stand"--not from "sit"--so there would be no pause. Is THIS what your instructor is talking about?

Sort of but even more specifically, that the hips can't be first part to touch the ground.

Most people in the class went through the levels in the club - Basic obediance (taught down from a sit), CGC/Advanced basic (use was ever method works), now BN. She introduced the homework at the end so I didn't get a chance to watch what some of the more advanced dogs have been doing but all three "new" dogs do down hind-end first.

 

[Justicemom]

Many reasons for it. The main reason will be if you get to Open and utility going down front will hopefully prevent the dog from getting stuck in a sit on the down on recall and signals(stand, down, sit come is always the order) exercises both of which are NQs. It also teaches the dogs to stop forward momentum quicker since the body stops on the front feet and fools back and prevents creeping forward again on which can loose you points.

In addition, alot of people don't want the dog to ever think sit proceeds lying down because of fear of lying down on the sit stay.

I am currently working on a quick drop with Birch and he does sit sometimes in the process of going down. I just never reward those attempts. It is happening less and less.

 

[Greenepony]

It also teaches the dogs to stop forward momentum quicker since the body stops on the front feet and fools back and prevents creeping forward again on which can loose you points. .

Stopping momentum makes a lot of sense. Olive has a slippery rear and on a slick floor I can imagine her scooting along.