Pairing compulsion with the ball. As training progresses the dog will learn to switch from a frenzy of leaping and barking in one instant to a tightly coiled and energized sit in the next

As training progresses the dog will learn to switch from a frenzy of leaping and barking in one instant to a tightly coiled and energized sit in the next. The animal will begin gaining the ability to hold its energy in check, guiding it into the behaviors its handler indicates in order to obtain the object of its desire–the ball in its master’s hand.

However, the dog’s excitement will interfere with precision. It will frequently make errors, such as jumping at the ball after the command has been given instead of sitting immediately, or breaking the sit on those occasions when it is carried away by its enthusiasm.

We clean up these errors and polish the sit and the stay by pairing compulsion with the ball. The handler uses a leash in one hand to correct the dog into a quick, clean sit and then make it stay perfectly in place. At the same time, he shows the dog the ball with the other hand in order to preoccupy it so that it is not upset or inhibited by the corrections. As soon as he has what he wants from the animal, the handler releases it with an “OK!” while simultaneously dropping the leash and throwing the ball for the dog.

GOAL 3: The dog will down on command.

Along with the recall, the down is one of the most important commands in obedience. Through the course of training, the down takes on a very powerful character. It is the command we use as the last resort to control the animal. If it wants to fight another dog, we down it. If it refuses to let one of our guests into the house, we down it. If the dog habitually rebites after the out, we teach it to release the sleeve and then automatically lie down at the agitator’s feet.

Although it is to become a very compelling command, we must introduce the down inducively, rather than with force.

Important Concepts for Meeting the Goal

1. Downing for food

2. Downing for the ball

3. Pairing compulsion with the ball