Tips on how to teach:

1. Start with your dog in a sit or stand position. 
2. Hold a treat in your hand and lure your dog's nose down to the ground. As they follow the treat, their body should naturally move towards the ground. Remember to go very slowly. Some dogs will naturally slide into the down position, others will take a bit longer to get it.
3. As soon as your dog is in a down position, say "down" and give them the treat. It's important to mark the exact moment your dog does what you want them to do, so they know what they're being rewarded for.
4. Don't foget you can also use a hand signal too!
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 several times. Be patient and consistent, and your dog will eventually get the hang of it.
6. Once your dog is going into a down position reliably when you give the cue, you can start to practice in different environments. This will help your dog learn to go into a down position even when there are distractions around.

Pro Tips & Trouble Shooting:

1. There are many different ways to teach down. We just have to find the one that makes the most sense to your dog. The concept of down can be difficult for a lot of dogs and they may struggle with it for awhile. But keep at it as your dog will eventually get it!
2. Luring: putting a treat by their nose and having them follow it down to the ground
3. Capturing: when you see them in down, mark it, and reward it (we can always add in the verbal cue and hand signal later)
4. Bring in another dog who is already proficient in down to help your dog learn how to do it. Dogs are social learners and will copy what others do.
5. Start in the least distracting environement first to build up muscle memory and successful attempts. Then you can start moving out into more distracting situations and environments.
6. Try changing the surface you are working on. It might be slipperly or uncomfortable. If you are on the floor, put down something soft like a blanket or a dog bed. Sometimes it can be helpful to move them up to the couch.
7. Play more Food Pattern Games that encourage your dog to get in a crouched or down position.
8. Once your dog is proficient in both sit and down, add in some alternating behaviors so they don't get "stuck" in either sit or down.

Try:

Sit--->Down

Sit--->Stand

Down--->Sit

Down--->Stand

These are also really good core and fitness exercises for your dog!