The
SIT Command ("Place your
rump on the ground.")
First
Choice: Studies show preferred methods
are
NO FORCE teaching
1)
Give
a small tasty food treat
for free, to show that you
control treats.
2)
With
your right hand, offer a
food treat, held right at
the nose, but don't
give the treat.
3) Move
your hand with the food
treat up and over the head.
Try to lure the nose up
and back. If he jumps, you
are holding the treat too
far from his nose. If the
dog ignores the treat, wait
until hungry, or choose
a more tasty treat.
4)
If
the dog's head follows
the treat, his spine will
pressure his rump to the
ground naturally.
5) As
the rump touches the ground,
say SIT in a neutral tone,
and praise and give the
treat. Say COME to get the
dog to stand and take a
step, then practice the
SIT. Repeat 10-20 times,
until the dog gets the relationship:
hear the word SIT, assume
the position, get the praise
and treat.
6)
Once
reliable, treat every other
sit, then the BEST sit of
three or five attempts.
Phase out the food over
weeks.
7) The
word SIT, plus the right
hand moving up becomes the
hand signal for the dog
to sit. If the dog's front
feet leave the ground,
you
are holding the food treat too
high.
8) Once
he has it, teach the dog
to "sit for
greetings"
instead of jumping up on
people. The rule is, "I
won't greet you until
you are sitting."
Second
Choice:
Place
one hand behind the middle of
the back legs to prevent moving
backward, and "cup"
the back legs forward at the
knee. With the other hand use
the collar push the dog backward
and down. The net effect is
like pushing a person backward,
who is standing in front of
a chair that buckles their legs
causing them to sit. Say SIT
first, the position the dog,
and praise as if it was his
idea, and give a treat. Repeat
exercise about 5 times each
training session, praising the
dog more as you use less pressure
to obtain a sit.
Correct hand position
|
Say
the word, "sit" first.
Then, position
the dog, and praise as if
it was the dog's idea.
Give a treat while the dog
is still sitting.
Then, release by saying,
"okay" and clapping while
moving backwards. |
Third
Choice Method:
Place
one hand on the dog's
back, just in front of the hips.
Spread your index finger and
thumb, and apply inward pressure,
just in front of each hip bone.
The other hand can be on the
collar and gently push back,
into the sit.
Fourth Choice Method
Use
a head halter. Begin
with your dog at your side or
in front of you. Hold the leash
a few inches
from the leash snap. Pull the
leash forward and upward to point
your dog's nose gently skyward.
As you tip his or her nose up,
the head should go gently back
and the hindquarters will naturally
lower to the ground as the dog
pulls backward against the pressure
at the back of the neck. As soon
as the dog begins to sit, say,
"Sit" and immediately
release the tension on the leash.
Offer a treat as a reward along
with praise. The
dog will quickly associate the
sitting position with the word
"Sit," and will
begin to respond with a lighter
and lighter pull on the leash.
Last Resort
While
the dog is wearing a neck collar
and leash, pull up on the
collar or leash,
while pressing down on the rump.
