Teaching Your Dog To Sit and Stay

Teaching  Your Dog To Sit and Stay

Im letting you guys in on a little secret.   A training guide I normally reserve for clients.     But since its National Train Your Dog Month -- Im sharing it with you.  



Command:   Sit!
Have him on leash so that he cant run away from you under distractions.
Hand Signal:  Cup your hand with back of hand facing the dog, approximately waist height  (Movement to this position should be crisp and with purpose!)
Verbal Non-Reward Marker:    "No" or "Aaaaak"-type sound and repeat "Sit"  (tone does not need to be loud or intimidating).  Always correct if he does not perform the command when you issue it, or if he breaks the command before you issue a new command or a release.   Hold him accountable. 
Praise:   always praise your dog for doing the right skill!  
Leash: Use your leash, even in the house and certainly as you progress to public distractions.

Initial Teaching (for a dog that does not already know the command)     

Option 1: 

•  Hold a Treat in front of your dogs nose in your cupped hand, raise treat up and back between dogs ears, slightly above his head.  Say "SIT!"    He should rock his bottom back into a sit position.  As soon as his bottom hit the ground, give the treat and say Okay!!!    
• Okay is his cue that its okay to end the command.   Over the next several days make him wait a few seconds (building to minutes) before you treat and release.   Always praise for a job well done!   

Option 2:  for the slightly more  challenging learner.

• In additional to the steps in Option 1 -- Apply a gentle pressure with 2 fingers of your left hand @ base of tail.   The right hand is applying a very light tension on leash to lift up.   (This assumes you are facing forward with dog attempting to Sit! on your left)   
• NEVER apply direct pressure to the spine or back.
• Use this only to get him started moving in the posture.   And in a day or two eliminate this touch altogether.  

Acknowledge:   After he sits, verbally say Good Sit! Good Boy, Thats It -- something that tells him hes done it right!   
Then ONLY when you are ready Release with Okay! to praise and reward. 



What might go wrong:

• If hes popping out of the sit to early, work on your timing.     Attempt to release him before he breaks so that you are creating success.  But still attempt to lengthen the stay over the next week or so.   
• If hes popping up as you reach down with the treat -- get low!   Sit on the floor to start and work your way to taller positions.   If as you bend he stands up -- you return to a stand tall position and give the verbal non-reward marker.    Be uber sure not to treat him if hes not in the sit position.
• As you progress -- do not hold the treat in your hand, but rather an easily accessible treat pouch.  So that he learns to work without the treat present
• And then start to randomize when the treat reward shows up -- but never miss the praise when you release.
  

Creating a good Sit/Stay:  Once your dog is sitting reliably on the first command, begin to use a little foot work to move away from the dog.   Start with 1/2 steps (only 1 foot moves) or single steps to start and then release.   Create success!  Build up to getting to the full extension of your leash, making the full circle around your dog, and on increasing the duration he must hold this command.   

We do not give a STAY command typically.   It is implied in the command itself.   And often less confusing to the dog.  Remember the less words we use the better!  If hes sitting, he should just sit until released.  

Class Goal #1:  Your goal for class is holding an uninterrupted sit/stay 5 minutes (while other dogs are moving nearby)

Class Goal #2:  master the auto sit.   From a heeling position, when you stop walking your dog should sit automatically without cue from you!

Using in every day life:
As soon as your dog knows Sit with the built in Stay, begin to have your dog wait

• patiently for his meals or treats
• to put on his leash
• for doors to open and be invited through them (house and car), practice commands when the doorbell rings, when you go for a walk
• at Pet Retailers or the Vets office
  
• on street corners during a walk
• when greeting friends, etc. 
  
• to exit his crate
• when you need him to focus on you for any reason.  It becomes such a fundamental skill it can give him familiar skills to draw on when hes anxious or stressed.
  

Why Auto sit Can Be Helpful

• Greeting a neighbor or stranger on the street and stop to chat for a moment. 
• You stop at the mailbox or answer a phone call
• Youre pushing a baby stroller and walking your dog and need to stop to attend the baby
• What if you fall down and injure yourself and arent able to hold the leash?

Make this your most useful go-to command.

 More on Sit -- Its Not a Trick

Heres Your Dog Training Challenge for the Month of January 2014  --

Practice Training Sit/Stay 

Win A Leather Slip Lead

Upload a video of you and your dog to our Facebook page walking nicely, coming to a complete stop with him sitting at your side without a verbal cue or hand signal.   The stopping alone should be enough to get him to sit.
Then you walk away from him at least 6 feet away (typical leash distance) and circle behind him (no eye contact). Hold it for 1.5 minutes and then release and praise!     Entry must be posted by 6pm ET January 31, 2014.
We will randomly select a winner from the qualified video entries!

Here is your first set of instructions to teach Sit!
With this and the tips we give all month long youre doing to master this and more!

This Leash Can Be Yours!   Enter the Video Contest!

 

Dana Brigman

The K9 Coach

Dog Training - Matthews, NC

980-339-8064

www.thek9-coach.com

info@thek9-coach.com

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