"Sit"... but not really.

The Perfect "Sit"
All dogs sit. Just watch. Why should we teach an animal something he already knows and does? Because we want our dog to sit when WE want him to sit, whether there are distractions, or not. And truly, we want him to STAY sitting until we tell him to get up! Really, what most people want, and the secret to a perfect sit, is all about perfect ATTENTION. In order for your dog to become really good at commands, you must develop ATTENTION first. Every dog should have great attention. So let's talk about what attention is for dogs. First, a dog must know when he's "working" and when he's "free". These are two of the most important things for you and your dog to master together, and that will be our focus today. Let's start. I lied a little bit about learning the "sit" today. On purpose! Because you can't learn the perfect "sit" without attention. Today, we're going to talk about developing and rewarding attention. That's right... you'll get NO attention if you do not REWARD attention. Also, you can be SURE to develop attention if you reward attention. How do we do this? Let's start by REWARDING EYE CONTACT. Attention is really only sustained eye contact, and nothing more. The goal: to have your dog STARE INTO YOUR EYES WHILE HE SITS, WAITING FOR HIS RELEASE CUE. Let's break it down. First, say your dog's name in an animated tone. When he turns to look, IMMEDIATELY (within one second of his looking at you) pop a YUMMY treat into his mouth. Do this for a few days, until your dog understands that he's going to get PAID (rewarded with a yummy treat) EVERY time he responds to his name. Next, we must reward (pay with a treat) SUSTAINED EYE CONTACT. This means that we will add several rewards in a row for holding the attention. As long as your dog is staring into your eyes, REWARD. Then, when the game is over, say "ok" and walk away. Try to build up the time in between rewards, so the dog is building his drive to want to "hold" eye contact with you for longer and longer periods of time. At first, reward every 2 seconds or so, then, gradually build up to rewarding every 20 to 30 seconds, then eventually up to several minutes. Go slowly!! This takes time and work. BUILD SLOWLY. Some dogs, like a clients dog I trained today, completely ignore their names. This is because the dog has no idea what his name means (his name should mean "look at me") or this means that his name has been "poisoned". We'll talk a lot about poisoning commands later. Basically, in this situation, "poisoning" probably means you've scolded your dog with his name, used the word "no" paired with his name, disciplined him using his name.... used his name to bring him away from other dogs or fun situations like eating garbage and toilet paper. STOP using your dog's name for anything he sees as "not so fun". Start REWARDING him for making eye contact after you say his name. For 5 minutes, three times a day, fill your treat pouch or pockets with the most YUMMY treats one could desire (not treats YOU desire, treats your DOG desires). Try real chicken, or cheese. Say, "Barney", and as SOON as Barney flips his head around to look at you, be SURE to immediately reward with FOOD THE DOG IS EXCITED FOR. If the dog is not CRAZY about the reward, then IT IS NOT A REWARD. Remember, we haven't even started the "sit" command yet! You need to take these preliminary steps, first. Today, you are going to teach your dog when he's "working" and when he's "free". Your dog will NEVER want to sit, unless he knows freedom is coming soon after. He doesn't want to "sit" forever. So first, you need to teach him the word for "free". You're free to get up from your "sit" position! Think of a child in school. Little Johnny can't just stand up and walk out of 2nd grade class. He must raise his hand, and ask to be excused to go to the bathroom, or he can wait until the recess bell rings... right? He must wait to be "released" from school. Every single time you ask your dog to do something (ie: "sit") he must REMAIN sitting until you "release" him! When your dog is sitting for you, he's WORKING, and when you "release" him, he's FREE to be a dog. This is extremely important. I see people telling their dogs to sit all day long all the time and they never "release" their dog! You first must establish a word for freedom, or release. This word is usually "ok" or "free". I like using "ok". Remember, your dog does not speak English, so I really don't care WHAT word you use. Only, you must use the same word, with the same tone, every time. To establish the "ok" freedom cue, I begin by tossing yummy treats on the ground and saying "ok" as my dog runs to chase them. Try this game for a few minutes. First, say, "Charlie" (or whatever your dog's name is) and when he looks, pop a treat directly into his mouth. Next, say "OK" as you toss a yummy treat away from you. He should chase it like he were chasing prey. Repeat for 3 minutes, then end the game with "ok". Next, go to a doorway (like your front door to your house) and have your dog on a leash. Open the door, and HOLD YOUR DOG BACK USING THE LEASH. If you can, step across the threshold of the doorway yourself, and continue to hold your dog back on the inside of the doorway while you are now on the outside. Say "ok" as you let him cross the threshold. Always leave the door this way, until your dog understands that "ok" must be heard in order to cross the boundary. Again, we are trying to establish a CONCEPT. There are commands (sit, down) and there are CONCEPTS ( the word "ok"). Dogs are capable of conceptual learning, so let's teach them! Next, try placing a piece of really yummy food on the ground. Don't SAY anything, just simply restrain your dog from getting the treat. I prefer using the leash in a very gentle manner. Just simply hold the dog back using the leash. When he finally stops trying to pounce on the treat, release him and let him go with an "OK", and he gets to eat the yummy treat. Get it? Today is about establishing BASIC ATTENTION AND RELEASE. These two things MUST be in place BEFORE you ask your dog to sit. This way, he'll understand to sit, AND sustain eye contact, AND remain in the sit position until you "release" him with an "OK". I usually play these games for 3 days before attempting to add in the "sit" cue.
REVIEW:

DEVELOP ATTENTION
1. Say dog's name, and when he looks, immediately reward with treat.
2. Say dog's name, and when he looks, immediately treat, and then CONTINUE TO TREAT FOR SUSTAINED EYE CONTACT

DEVELOP A RELEASE CUE
1. Toss treats as you say "ok" (dog should run after treat and eat it)
2. Try holding dog back at doorways and gates, release through with his cue "OK" every time you cross important boundaries/ curbs, gates, doorways, etc...
3. Place a chunk of food on floor, and restrain dog back using gentle leash pressure. Release him with an "ok" when he is relaxed and calm and not struggling!

Practice 5 minutes, three times a day TOTAL. It's not HOW MUCH you practice, it's HOW you practice. Do it right, keep it short!! Be sure your dog is MOTIVATED for his reward or it's not a reward. Stay tuned for our next blog on the "SIT" command .... FINALLY!!