Pet Talk Training Course #1 - SIT

**elizabethann** · 01-10-2007, 03:01 PM

I'm going to bump this up in case others haven't seen it yet.

I liked the comment critter crazy made about how your dog won't sit unless you're standing. That happens to Fenway too. I will have to tell him to sit from all types of places.

But I have a question. If Fenway doesn't sit, what do I do? Keep saying "sit" "sit" "sit" until he sits? Do I ignore him? Do I make him sit? What?

**cali** · 01-10-2007, 03:08 PM

most of my dogs were trained to sit with the treat over the head thing. Electra didnt quite catch on to that one though lol she like using her paws too much. so for her I placed my hand under her chin and lifted up and pressured inward, this causes her to sit. when walking I always have her sit at street corners(well I have all of them sit, but Happy and Misty dont have to be told lol) but when otherwise training right now I try to avoid her sitting as much as possable, just because she is not the brightest bulb on the tree and I dont want her randomly sitting in the ring lol

oh and for the standing thing, with Electra I start training something kneeling or sitting and then once is solid there I slowly rise up, just so the change of postions is not so huge. Leck is the only dog I have had to do that with though, BCs are so much eaiser to train lol

**Anita Cholaine** · 01-10-2007, 03:17 PM

I've been working on sit with Anita today. She does it pretty well, but it's hard to make her respond to just a signal, without a treat. At first, she also only seated when I was standing, but then I starting moving around the house and telling her to sit while I was on my knees or sitting on the floor, it has worked well.

We'll have to keep working on this, but I'm sure she'll be a sitting expert soon

**Suki Wingy** · 01-10-2007, 03:26 PM

I use a fist as the hand signal. What should I do when I go to put his leash on and tell him sit and he doesn't, or walks a circle around me first? Even if I wait and ask him a minute later he seems to remember before and so he thinks he can keep doing this.

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-10-2007, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by elizabethann

I'm going to bump this up in case others haven't seen it yet.

I liked the comment critter crazy made about how your dog won't sit unless you're standing. That happens to Fenway too. I will have to tell him to sit from all types of places.

But I have a question. If Fenway doesn't sit, what do I do? Keep saying "sit" "sit" "sit" until he sits? Do I ignore him? Do I make him sit? What?

Good question. What you don't want to do is repeat the word "sit." In training dogs, you say the command once - in a nice tone - and that's it. If the dog doesn't obey, you have to make them sit. How? Well, this is where we get into problems trying to teach something over the internet. What you need to do is a maneuver that is so difficult to explain in writing, that I can't. I could only show you in person. It's a great maneuver that doesn't involve pressing on the back hips. If you do this move incorrectly, I could see you harming your dog. That is why I am not even going to attempt to describe it on the internet.

This is precisely why I strongly encourage everyone to join an obedience class. The trainer can help you in so many ways that a book, video or the internet cannot. I mean, here we are, talking about the easiest thing to teach a dog, and already it's become impossible to completely help.

I feel a little frustrated. I think it would be best if you asked a trainer in-person. They would be able to help.

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-10-2007, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Anita Cholaine

I've been working on sit with Anita today. She does it pretty well, but it's hard to make her respond to just a signal, without a treat. At first, she also only seated when I was standing, but then I starting moving around the house and telling her to sit while I was on my knees or sitting on the floor, it has worked well.

We'll have to keep working on this, but I'm sure she'll be a sitting expert soon

As you are just beginning teaching the behavior, you shouldn't be doing just the hand signal without treats yet. You move to that slowly, over time, as she excels at the behavior. If you move too fast with behaviors, they will disappear.

**elizabethann** · 01-11-2007, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by agilityk9trainer

Good question. What you don't want to do is repeat the word "sit." In training dogs, you say the command once - in a nice tone - and that's it. If the dog doesn't obey, you have to make them sit. How? Well, this is where we get into problems trying to teach something over the internet. What you need to do is a maneuver that is so difficult to explain in writing, that I can't. I could only show you in person. It's a great maneuver that doesn't involve pressing on the back hips. If you do this move incorrectly, I could see you harming your dog. That is why I am not even going to attempt to describe it on the internet.

This is precisely why I strongly encourage everyone to join an obedience class. The trainer can help you in so many ways that a book, video or the internet cannot. I mean, here we are, talking about the easiest thing to teach a dog, and already it's become impossible to completely help.

I feel a little frustrated. I think it would be best if you asked a trainer in-person. They would be able to help.

Fenway has been to obedience school. But I thought it would be fun to do a refresher course/beginner's course on PT so our dogs can perfect their skills. I'm all for obedience school. I was just trying to do something fun.

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 01-11-2007, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by elizabethann

Fenway has been to obedience school. But I thought it would be fun to do a refresher course/beginner's course on PT so our dogs can perfect their skills. I'm all for obedience school. I was just trying to do something fun.

And you succeeded - I enjoyed reading all the methods used.

My two sit 99% of the time and I find to keep this up they don't always get a treat, sometimes its verbal praise instead

**borzoimom** · 01-11-2007, 07:42 AM

Well Borzois do not sit- ..
How I taught sit to my shepherds- is I never pushed the rear. Shepherd pups have loose joints in their hips, and you can cause problems.
Its hard to explain in typing what I do automaticially, but basically I call the puppy towards me- walking backwards. As the puppy comes in, I then take a step into the puppy, with my right hand over their head ( mimic I have a treat)- say "sit" in a calm but firm voice with gentleness ( the voice they later learn- I am talking to you..), and step in slightly- the puppy sits as looking at my hand..
Later I reduce my hand and straighten my body posture. I have found within a matter of a few times- not only does this teach to come to me and sit in front of me ( reducing jumping up on you etc) but its a " happy sit" verses the 'image" of being forced..
When I use to enter the house, all the dogs would come running to me, check their step and sit in front of me- it was actually rather funny- as I had ranks sitting in front of me as I tried to come into the house. ..

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-11-2007, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by elizabethann

Fenway has been to obedience school. But I thought it would be fun to do a refresher course/beginner's course on PT so our dogs can perfect their skills. I'm all for obedience school. I was just trying to do something fun.

Oh, I'm sorry. I did not mean to rain on your parade. It was a good idea, and you should continue. It's just frustrating for a person who teaches to be limited to the interent when there's so much more I could help with if I had full access. That's all. I was jjust venting. Keep up the topic!

**Kfamr** · 01-11-2007, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by elizabethann

Fenway has been to obedience school. But I thought it would be fun to do a refresher course/beginner's course on PT so our dogs can perfect their skills. I'm all for obedience school. I was just trying to do something fun.

Don't worry, this is a lot of fun! Don't let anyone make you think otherwise. If they don't find it fun, they do not have to read.

Not everyone has the money for obedience school and not every dog needs it, so this is a wonderful way for those of us who train our dogs by ourselves to learn!

**animal_rescue** · 01-11-2007, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Kfamr

Don't worry, this is a lot of fun! Don't let anyone make you think otherwise. If they don't find it fun, they do not have to read.

Not everyone has the money for obedience school and not every dog needs it, so this is a wonderful way for those of us who train our dogs by ourselves to learn!

Agreed. This is great and I love it!! I love reading the different methods and the help online from other, friendly people.

**Taz_Zoee** · 01-11-2007, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by agilityk9trainer

Oh, I'm sorry. I did not mean to rain on your parade. It was a good idea, and you should continue. It's just frustrating for a person who teaches to be limited to the interent when there's so much more I could help with if I had full access. That's all. I was jjust venting. Keep up the topic!

I am just wondering if you have a video camera? You could be our teacher! Although you would not get paid, huh? Ok, maybe not. LOL
Your tips are helpful, please don't get frustrated. Take a deep breath and just describe as best as you can. I understood what you were saying, at least I think I did.

With Zoee we use the fist as the signal (with the food in it to start). However, we did have to apply slight pressure to her rear because the going over her head way wouldn't work for her. She would just back up. And that only took a few times, nothing that would have hurt her hips. But now she will sit when told or by just the signal.
I am pretty luck, since my boyfriend is an excellent trainer.

So I let him train her and me. hee hee

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 01-11-2007, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by GreyhoundGirl

I taught her sit by doing a swift upward movement with my right hand, which had some tasty teats in it. (which is used as the hand signal) Being no different then the average hound her eyes followed it. I just put it a bit further over her head and the butt plopped down. It was pretty simple.

That is how I taught my dogs too.

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-11-2007, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Taz_Zoee

I am just wondering if you have a video camera? You could be our teacher! Although you would not get paid, huh? Ok, maybe not. LOL
Your tips are helpful, please don't get frustrated. Take a deep breath and just describe as best as you can. I understood what you were saying, at least I think I did.

With Zoee we use the fist as the signal (with the food in it to start). However, we did have to apply slight pressure to her rear because the going over her head way wouldn't work for her. She would just back up. And that only took a few times, nothing that would have hurt her hips. But now she will sit when told or by just the signal.
I am pretty luck, since my boyfriend is an excellent trainer.

So I let him train her and me. hee hee

Thank you. If I were better at this technical stuff, the video would be a great idea. As it is, I'm very luck just to be able to figure out hot to type in a post!

What hand signal you use really doesn't matter, as long as you are consistant with it. A fist is great. And, if you only press slightly a few times, you won't be doing any damage.