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"Ok, He’s sitting. What’s next?" Ok, you got the dog to sit, but if you just stand there and do nothing, he’ll get bored, get up and walk away to find something more interesting to do. He’ll stand up (or lie down) and break the ‘sit’ command that he was given. The dog needs to learn that when you tell him to sit, that he must sit and also stay there until you release him. This is where the “Stay” command comes into play. Tell your dog to “Stay” and hold your hand in front of his nose, with your palm facing the dog. Take a step away from the dog while watching him very carefully! If he even looks like he’s going to stand up or lie down, correct him verbally with an, “Eh, Eh!” or “No!” Tell him to stay, and step away again. The most important thing here is to try and catch the dog before he gets up. Look at his body language… His head will lean forward just a little bit, and he will start to shift his weight forward over his front legs just before he actually stands up. You need to verbally correct the dog at this point, before he actually gets up. At the same time, lift up on the leash, straight up in the air, and step in towards the dog again. The leash pulling upwards will encourage him to lift his head up (and teeter-totter his butt back down onto the ground) and stepping into his space will encourage him to settle backwards, rather than leaning forward to stand up. If the dog breaks the command by lying down, give him the verbal “Eh, Eh!” or “No!” Then tell him to “sit”. If he doesn’t sit up, grasp his collar and lift upward in one swift but gentle movement. You don’t want to yank on his neck or choke him with the collar, just a quick lift to bring him back to the sitting position. Then a little bit of praise for a “good sit!” once he’s sitting again, then repeat the "stay" as explained above. The reason for keeping the dog in the sitting position is that if you ask for a “sit” you need to make the dog give you a “sit”. A “down” is not a “sit”… just as standing up and walking away to sniff the daisies is not a “sit”. Allowing the dog to break a command you gave him, even something as simple as a sit, will imprint the idea on the dog’s brain that commands are optional, and only need to be followed when it suits the dog. We need to start off right from the beginning with the dog understanding that you are his all powerful Master, and what you ask for must be done. Make sure you don’t ask him to stay for long periods right off the bat! The goal is to keep the dog sitting until you release him. Keep him in the sit/stay for just a few seconds at first, then tell him “Ok!” and let him get up. You will be able to extend the time periods gradually as he improves in his ability to follow your commands. Also make sure that you use a Release Command to tell your dog that the exercise is over. Don't just allow him to get up and wander away whenever he feels like it. - Debbie Knatz
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PLEASE NOTE:
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