Teaching a down with duration helps your puppy learn to settle and stay in position calmly. Start by luring your puppy gently into a down using a treat, marking the moment they reach the position with “yes” (or a click) and rewarding while they remain in place. Once they are settled, give two more treats, one at a time, to encourage them to stay in the down. To finish, use a clear release cue such as “okay” (or “free”/“break”) to let your puppy move out of position. Over time, you can gradually increase the duration between treats, helping your puppy learn to stay relaxed in the down for longer periods.
