Pairing compulsion with the ball. Just as with the sit, after a while the handler begins to insist on near‑perfect work, so that the dog downs on precisely the spot where it heard the

Just as with the sit, after a while the handler begins to insist on near‑perfect work, so that the dog downs on precisely the spot where it heard the command and in exactly the same orientation, so that there is no delay before it lies down and no skewing of its body as it does so.

The handler can experiment with various forms of compulsion in order to bring this about. A leash correction down at the ground and back toward the dog’s rear end can work well; with some dogs a quick slap on the skull between the ears is effective. However, the handler should absolutely avoid trying to push, crush or wrestle the dog to the ground because, unless this is done with overwhelming force, it just breeds resistance.

As always, when the dog does as we require, the handler releases it with “OK!” and throws the ball for it.

GOAL 4: The dog will hold the long down.

So far, we have worked the down as a spirit exercise. The handler used the ball to teach the dog to lie down as dynamically as possible, and to remain energized in the down, like a coiled spring.

Now, however, we have the long down to worry about. During the dog’s obedience performance it will be required to lie down on a spot indicated by the judge and remain there for approximately ten minutes, despite the presence of another dog‑handler team working the field, and despite two gunshots. Rather than aroused, for the long down we need the dog calm and rock‑steady.

Important Concepts for Meeting the Goal

1. Forcing the stay

2. Habituating the dog to gunshots

3. Combining gunshots with the down stay