[salazark]

Down can be really challenging for some dogs. We use a couple of tricks.

For the front legs not moving forward, try pulling the treat slightly forward as you move it towards the floor. For the pop up butt, it's a little hard to explain, but when we have one that has a butt that wants to pop up, we sit on the floor next to them and use our leg - out straight in front with the knee bent - kind of making a little "bridge". Have the little bridge over the back of your dog - not touching but preventing them from popping up. It's really hard to describe but easy to show. You can also lure them under the little bridge and click and treat for the "crouch" gradually shaping it into a full down.

Another thing you can do is capture the behavior. All dogs lie down at some time. Click and treat the instant that she does it. It will take a while but when they do figure out what is getting the reward, it really sticks with them.

We've had dogs that use down as their graduation trick because they had such a challenge learning it. It seems that it's either natural to them and they get it really quick or it just isn't and it takes a lot of time and work. It is really normal!!!