Easy Peasy Sit

Pupoys seem to come with "sit" pre installed more often than not......but how can we turn them into absolute sitting machines?!

What

For your puppy be able to sit when you ask them to - In any environment until released.

Why?

• It is an alternative your puppy can offer instead of jumping up

• It is a stationary position you can ask your puppy to if you need to do something else ie. open a door, pick up puppy poo, put down your puppy’s food

• It can be what you ask your puppy to do at the end of a recall so you can put the lead on

How?

Step 1 - The sit taking shape 

• Pop a treat between your thumb and fingers and practice luring your puppy, this is when you move your hand with the treat along, so your puppy follows like a magnet, and then give them the treat

• Then do the same but instead lure your puppy’s nose slowly up and back

• As their head follows the treat, their bum will land on the floor

• When their bum lands on the floor say ‘good’ and give them the treat

• Practice this in different indoor locations over the next few days

Step 2  Check your puppy understands

• As above, do the same hand gesture, but with no treat in hand, when your puppy’s bum lands on the floor say ‘good’ and then get them a treat from your treat pouch

• Repeat in different locations each day

• If the ground is wet or cold and your puppy is reluctant to sit, don’t worry, choose to train somewhere more comfortable

Step 3 Add the word “sit”

• Now say “sit” as you do the action with your hand, say ‘good’ as their butt contacts the ground and give them a treat, this will teach your puppy the word “sit” as well as the hand signal

• Repeat in different locations each day

Step 4 Alonger stronger sit

• Now ask your puppy for a “sit”

• When your puppy’s bum lands on the ground, count to 2 before you say ‘good’ and give them a treat

• Each time count an additional 2 seconds before you say ‘good’ and give them a treat

• Build this up to 10 seconds, but don’t worry if your puppy gets up it just means you need to make it a little easier and go back to an easier level

• Don’t do too many of these, the longer they sit, the less you should do

The 3 Ds

 Duration - We may want to ask pup to sit for 60 seconds rather than 1

Distance - We may want to ask the pup to sit at the opposite side of the room from us rather than by our foot.

Distraction - We may need puppy to sit at the vets rather than at home.

Proofing the behaviour 

One for getting in touch with me!