Whew!

[pitbullmamaliz]

So we did our first power down this evening! I put her in a down-stay at my feet while eating dinner. Of course she didn't want to stay, but I was stepping on the leash. My foot started cramping up from pressing down on it so much, so I wrapped it around my foot! Much easier! She tried to get up several times in the first 2 minutes, but then did much better. I kept her down for 20 minutes. Of course, at 19 minutes she began throwing a hellacious fit - trying to writhe out of her harness, back out of it, twist around, crawl away, etc. With only one freakin' minute to go!!! So after she settled down again I made her stay down for 2 good minutes, and then let her up. She bolted up, licked my hand, and wandered off to pout.
The only hard thing was not paying any attention to her at all. I felt like such a mean mom...I know it's for her own good though! I'm going to try to start doing this every night.

[mnp13]

good for you for sticking it out!!!

She will get better about it every time. You did the right thing on keeping her there for a few extra minutes after she had a fit.

I just call it a long down

[pitbullmamaliz]

Michelle, should I stick with 20 minutes for a while, or bump it up a minute per day?

[mnp13]

I'd stay stick with 20 for now. You learned her limit - 18 before she has a tantrum. I'd wait until she doesn't have a fit, and then up it 5 minutes. And I'd keep her there for a good 5 minutes after the fit as well. She's gonna give you hell but you just need to out wait her.

[pitbullmamaliz]

You know, the rest of the evening she's been just looking at me with these baleful, guilt-inducing eyes, but not leaving my side. She's acting exhausted! Quite frankly, I think it was harder for me than for her!

[rockermom]

I discovered I have to practice down stays when my husband is not home. He cant take the whine just cant ignore it.

[mnp13]

You know, the rest of the evening she's been just looking at me with these baleful, guilt-inducing eyes, but not leaving my side. She's acting exhausted! Quite frankly, I think it was harder for me than for her!

She's mad, she'll get over it.

[pitbullmamaliz]

It's sad - I've only done it once and I'm already dreading doing it tonight! But I'm going to, dammit!!! Results will be mine!!!

I hope.

[dogcrazyjen]

I would set your timer and get a good book!



Bravo for doing this!

[SpiritFngrz]

Good luck! It is tiring and frustrating. Those little snots are like little whining kids

[pitbullmamaliz]

OMG she actually whined last night during her down. Not an annoying continual whine, but just a couple heart-breaking "mother I'm in pain" whines. That was tough. *shudder*

[mnp13]

OMG she actually whined last night during her down. Not an annoying continual whine, but just a couple heart-breaking "mother I'm in pain" whines. That was tough. *shudder*

Keep strong!

You train her, or she trains you! Your choice

[pitbullmamaliz]

Thanks for the encouragement! I keep coming back here to remind myself that it's a good thing!

[cheekymunkee]

She won't die, no matter HOW much she tries to make you think she will.

[mnp13]

Oh...

and you should probably stop putting her in a down on hot coals, broken glass and tacks.

[pitbullmamaliz]

Oh geez, NOW you tell me that!!!

I only kept her down for 10 minutes last night. I know when you're training everything else, you set them up to succeed. 20 minutes was too long, so she did great with the 10. Threw her little 60 second tantrum at first, and then settled down nicely. When I said her release word she actually kept lying there for another minute. No whining. So I think I'm going to keep it at 10 for a couple more days, then maybe go up to 12, then 14, etc.

What kind of good results is this going to give me? I'm assuming a more solid stay, but will she be more responsive in general?

Thanks for the help!

[Maryellen]

excellent work!! you are working her mind too, which is great mental exercise. you are also teaching her that YOU are in charge, not her., and giving her obedience skills too. if you ever need her to down for a while she can do it .. emergency situations, vet visits, etc.. you would be suprised at how many times the down will come in handy....
you are doing good, gradual times so that she never fails, and you are increasing her time slowly, which is great..

[04100824]

What is this for again? Just another form of dominance training? How long is the final time? What''s the end all point?

[Maryellen]

i personally feel that the down should be taught for all types of situations, whether regular or emergency.. not many dogs like to do down, as its a submissive position.. to hold the leash on your foot while the dog is down is just another way to teach the down position. some dogs just dont like doing it, so you help them with staying down while teaching it. i used this method on my gsd during obedience training as she was super stubborn. now, when we go to the vets with any of my dogs, i have them down at the vets office and put them in a down/stay.. except for rufus, he sit/stays inthe chair... i use the down for various situations at home, out, anywhere .. its not necessarily a dominance down, i just say its a down, and the foot on the leash just helps to teach the down to some dogs that dont understand the down yet..

[04100824]

i personally feel that the down should be taught for all types of situations, whether regular or emergency.. not many dogs like to do down, as its a submissive position.. to hold the leash on your foot while the dog is down is just another way to teach the down position. some dogs just dont like doing it, so you help them with staying down while teaching it. i used this method on my gsd during obedience training as she was super stubborn. now, when we go to the vets with any of my dogs, i have them down at the vets office and put them in a down/stay.. except for rufus, he sit/stays inthe chair... i use the down for various situations at home, out, anywhere .. its not necessarily a dominance down, i just say its a down, and the foot on the leash just helps to teach the down to some dogs that dont understand the down yet..

So, it sounds to me that this would be unnecessary if they already will obey a down, stay command?