Teaching your Cavalier to lie down is one of the most useful skills you’ll ever work on together, and in this video I walk you through Lesson 1 of “down” in my Cavalier Training Basics series. I show you how I teach the down from both a sit and a stand using positive reinforcement, and I keep it super clear: in the first stage, I don’t add a word yet. I want the behavior solid first, and I also want my “down” (lie down) to stay different from my “off” (four paws off). With Stewart, I demonstrate exactly where I place the food lure (close to the chest and down toward the toes), what I’m looking for (those elbows hitting the ground), and why going slow matters—especially with a newer dog. I also share a gentle troubleshooting tip if your dog keeps popping their butt up: I don’t push bodies down, but I may place a hand as a light blocker so the dog can figure it out without being forced. I also talk about setup, because sensitive Cavaliers need to feel safe to relax into a down. Use carpet, a runner, or a yoga mat so they’re not slipping, keep lessons short and sweet, and do a few reps throughout the day so your dog can “win” and stay engaged. This is just the first layer—next steps include fading the food lure, adding the cue, and building distractions.