We started a new puppy class yesterday and were asked to show our 'down' positions. Izzy had been given a pep talk before we left home and told to be on her best behaviour! Bless her, she did exactly as asked and I was chuffed to bits, rewarding her accordingly (with cheese!). Then the instructor asked if I planned to do agility, K9 sports or heelwork in the future. I said all were a possibility as it was early days I hadn't really made up my mind. She then asked what kind of a down position was I attempting. This confused me as I wasn't aware there was more than one! Apparently I was giving the command for the 'sphinx' position, and how was I going to let my dog know I wanted her to go into the 'drop' position? (used in agility)
Does anyone know what the difference is and how to teach it?!!

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No, I don't know, I'm afradi, btu why on earth didn't the 'instructor' explain it to you?

Don't know, she just told everyone to observe the different ways our dogs lay down (mine, usually flat out on her back, belly up!) and take note?!!!
It's a pretty busy class and she just left me open mouthed, and slightly crest-fallen and moved on to the next dog
Am frantically looking on the web so I can go "oh, you mean this way......" next time she asks !

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i see i think

your down or drop as like a sphinx position can be easy and quickly got up from by the dog. ideal for agilty for speed,
then theres downs for down stays the most comfy for a dog is on its side, and will lay like it for ages.

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So I wonder how you teach the drop? The one where they look like they're about to pounce, is what I think she is refering to.........

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to me they lay 4 ways upside down legs in air showing everythink.
like a sphinx ready to get up fast
one like a sphinx but with their bum over to one side
or one laying on their side a comfy down

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a thought, the drop position i think she means a sphinx position legs under the body ready to spring up, instead of saying down you say drop instead

trouble is different people use different words for the same thing.

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I would have thought the Sphynx position would be bum on floor, tummy on floor and front legs stretched out in front

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CLICK MA PET DOG PLEASE

Me too, and surely that's the 'down' they'd use in agility? Why on earth would you need any other sort of down?

Sphinx, from what I understand the trainer to be saying, is back legs out to the side (as Izzy was) or maybe I misunderstood in my embarrassment at being pulled up over it! Anyhow, I'm pressuming I have to now teach 'drop' as a seperate move, but still none the wiser as to how! Lol
!!!

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