10/25/2026
I always train the commands “down” for “lay down” and “off” for getting “off” of surfaces whether is two or four paws, like jumping up on people, counters, or the couch.
It makes it much clearer and less confusing for your dog and they actually learn faster with distinct commands. Try it and comment your success!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1NJKc5sND3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Yup. We confuse our dogs.
And half the time, we don't even realise we do it.
It's not fair to get frustrated at a dog for breaking a rule we never taught clearly.
We do this to them all the time without realising.
One of us says "Off".
One of us says "Down".
And one of us says nothing.
And then we say "he knows what he did"
He doesn't.
He really doesn't.
He's just trying to guess the rules in a house where the rules keep changing.
And so do the words.
Dogs don't need us to be perfect, but they do need us to be clear and consistent.
Same word. Same response. From everyone.
It's about being fair to them.
If we want them to get it right, we need to make it possible for them to get it right.
So today, pick one.
One word, one plan, whole family.
We need to stop blaming dogs for confusion we created.
