Lesson Two: Teach your dog to "SIT"

[dolmod]

Second chapter in the DOL Training Guide: Teaching your dog to "SIT".

No debating which technique is better or worse, just simple step by step guides from members for members.

Videos welcome.

[Meatos]

It helps if you work on a slippery surface like tile, hardwood, linoleum, etc.

Depending on how you want to proceed with training (i.e. in training classes they want the dog sitting on your left, but at home we often have the dog facing us), place your dog in a stand beside you or in front of you.

Hold the treat in front of the dog's nose and slowly draw it upwards and over the dog's head. The dog will lift his nose to the air in order to follow the treat, and it will naturally place them into a sit.

As soon as the bum hits the floor, say SIT, then give the treat.

If your dog backs up a lot before sitting, you can practice this against a wall so the dog can't back up.

If the dog needs a bit more motivation to sit, you can place the treat against the dog's teeth while still holding onto it and moving the treat as described above, letting the dog nibble on it while he goes into a sit. Then once the bum hits the floor, lots of praise and treat.

[TuckersMomma]

Just wanted to add that you may think your puppy knows how to sit and they actually don't. Puppies sit when they are confused and don't know what to do.

We use the drawing the hand up with the treat as Katie suggested

[ouesi]

Once your dog has mastered sit from a standing position, you're only half-way done! Now try asking for sit from a down position. Most dogs don't get it right away - to them "sit" means "lower my butt to the floor", not "raise my front end back up". Use the same luring technique to teach sit from a down. Start with the treat near the pup's nose, and raise it up until the pup is sitting back up. Now you're ready for puppy push ups!

[MyDaneBaby]

When my puppies are young I am in a sitting position working with them so as to not loom over them when we are practicing.

When beginning the sit, the puppy is wearing a plain collar/leash. the leash is under my leg to keep them from backing away. I put a treat in my hand-signal hand give the verbal at the same time that my signaling hand is moving slowly from their nose towards their butt. At any motion towards sitting I quietly repeat our marker word and once planted I repeat the marker word more loudly/excitedly. If they don't follow the treat I gently place my palm on their butt and apply a little pressure, using the marker word to encourage them that we are on the right path. We repeat it several times in one room. Once they are dong it reliably (5 times or so) we move to a different room and repeat.

My sessions last 5 minutes or less to avoid loss of interest.

[Meatos]

Once your dog has mastered sit from a standing position, you're only half-way done! Now try asking for sit from a down position. Most dogs don't get it right away - to them "sit" means "lower my butt to the floor", not "raise my front end back up". Use the same luring technique to teach sit from a down. Start with the treat near the pup's nose, and raise it up until the pup is sitting back up. Now you're ready for puppy push ups!

Great point! I never ask for a sit from a down unless we are doing obedience work and she goes into a down when I've asked for a sit. So I always draw her back up with the treat. She hasn't mastered doing it without treats, but that's probably my fault!

[3XDaneMom]

Training is very individual, so here are three methods to teach your dog sit. Use what works for you and your dog. Remember to always end on a high note and PRAISE your dog! When in doubt CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER.

Catching:

This works best with clicker training. Make sure you have loaded the clicker before hand. Have the clicker and some treats with you or near by. When the dog naturally sits, say “Sit” as the butt hit’s the ground then click and treat right away. With patience and repetition you dog will make the connection. (This is EXACTLY how Sea World trains a whale to jump, catching and rewarding the natural behavior.) After a week of catching the sit, give the command to your dog, “Fido sit” . If your dog sits click, reward and praise heavily. If your dog does not sit, got back to catching for another week and try again until your dog makes the connection.

The pros of catching is it is the least forceful method of training, and rewards the dogs for their natural behavior. It also makes the dog more willing to offer new behaviors of their own to see what earns them a reward. This could land you with some very interesting tricks.

The cons of catching is for maximum effective training you can only train one command at a time. The method can be very time consuming and demands human timing and LOTS of patience.

Luring / Baiting :

This can be used with or without a clicker. Have your dog on lead, it is easier to start with your dog in front of you. Use the treat to lure/bait the dog back onto their butt. When the butt hit’s the floor mark with the command “Sit” and praise/click and treat. After a few days give the command “Fido sit” while lure/baiting back onto their butt. Once on their butt praise/click and reward. Fade the lure/bait, repetition will build consistency in command compliance.

The pros of lure/baiting is that most dogs are easily motivated for a food reward. More than one command can be taught and drilled in the same week. The food reward keeps most dogs motivated to train.

The cons of lure/baiting are often human error. Poor timing marks the wrong behavior, failure to fade the treat all together leaving you a dog dependant on food to comply.

Physical Placement

Nothing is needed to teach with physical placement other than your dog on collar and lead. You can use treats if you wish to add to the reward, or a check or prong collar to correct if you choose to (please see a professional on proper use and fitting of ANY training collar). Start with your dog on lead. Put one hand gently on your dogs neck, run the other hand down the dogs back and around the rump into the back of the knees, gently “roll” the dog back onto their butt giving the command “Sit”. Once the dog is in a sit verbally and physically praise SINCERELY. (You can also treat if you wish) Repeat 5-10 min a day for one week. By week two you should be able to say ,”Fido sit” and have him follow command. If the dog does not comply correct with the manor that suits your dog, for many this may be a simple verbal correction or light leash tug. When the dog complies praise sincerely .

The pros of physical placement is that done properly dogs learn that human touch is rewarding. You are showing the dog exactly what you want leaving a simple black and white message for him to follow.

The cons of physical placement is some dogs may become dependant on the touch to follow a command. Many people will put too much force into placement, pushing the dog in uncomfortable ways. Also, if they are used, improper physical corrections can do more harm than good.

[Titan_87]

Here's our progression in teaching sit.. This were recorded within minutes of each other. The luring is phased out as quickly as possible to ensure that the dog does not become dependent on it.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQpnkOUiEz8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQpnkOUiEz8[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1xrGF02J4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1xrGF02J4[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArLg62crZtg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArLg62crZtg[/ame]

[AlliGordy]

Is there a proper age to start working on these skills? Or is it the earlier the better?

[Greenmagick]

Is there a proper age to start working on these skills? Or is it the earlier the better?

earlier the better. Keep it positive and fun. With a young pup, dont expect high caliber results but yes, young puppies can and do learn a lot.