Stand From Down
Being able to perform a variety of position changes will enhance your dog’s training, especially if you later progress to competitive obedience, where commands such as this are necessary for good distance control.
Having taught your dog “stand” from the “sit” position, he will know the cue word for this command. Now he can learn to stand from a “down.” By broadening the range of exercises that you teach him, your dog will use more of his mental capacity. It will also help to strengthen his focus on you.
Step 1
With your dog in the “down” position, show him a food treat in your hand, holding it slightly above and forward from nose level.
Step 2
Slowly bring your hand up and forward, using your cue word for “stand.” Lured by the treat, your dog should rise to follow it. Be careful to bring the treat forward (that is, toward you) and don’t raise it up too high, or your dog could go straight into a “sit.”
Step 3
Once your dog has completed the movement into the standing position, click and give him the treat, so he knows he has given the correct response to your command.
Step 4
Regular practice will reinforce this new command as part of your dog’s behavior. As with all training, gradually phase out clicks and treats. Always give warm praise when he does things right.
Back to "Further Training"STAND FROM DOWN
At first, your dog may appear confused and not understand that you are teaching him a different technique of getting into “stand.” Since you have already taught him the cue world for “stand,” allow your dog time to register that you are using the same cue word for this exercise. You will later teach him also to sit from a “down,” and it is crucial that you use the correct hand signals for these different commands, so that he will be able to distinguish what you want from the direction and position of your hand movement.