Week 1 Sit First Command

 Equipment Needed:  6’ Leash, Training Collar (or a slip lead could replace the two). 

NOTE 1:  IF YOU USE THE SLIP LEAD, THE COLLAR CORRECTION IS NOT AS CLEAN OR PRECISE.  IF YOU HAVE AN AMENABLE DOG, THIS PROBABLY WON’T BE A PROBLEM. 

NOTE 2:  YOU DON’T NEED TO PRACTICE EVERY TIME WHILE HEELING.  YOU CAN DO THESE WHILE JUST WALKING WITH YOUR DOG AS WELL. 

Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  This exercise is the end goal for the molding and interim sit exercises you have been doing.  You want to be able to stand up straight now for both the command and the correction (the correction is loose, tight, loose but quickly with the chain training collar, and just a tug with the slip leash) The goal for this week will be to do three sets of four in a row without needing the correction (which means it is very important to use the well-timed correction when it is needed).   You will want to do this (with the heeling) for a half an hour a day. 
 
STEP 1:  Heel with your dog, but be sure that your dog is in good heel position before preparing for the sit command. 
STEP 2:   Wait until your dog is in good heel position (if you are heeling) OR the leash is loose if you are walking.  When ready say "sit" as you plant your left foot and then close up with your right foot (this consistent handling is what teaches your dog you are going to stop by your body movement) but you want to say sit while your dog is in good heel position to catch them as soon as possible---they will later learn to read this body language to create an auto sit).     Also keep your leash loose like a J next to the dog's neck when you say sit (no tension in the leash.   remember tension is only in times of correction) 
STEP 3: Give your dog one second (one Mississippi), and have your leash prepared for the correction by having your hand down enough on the leash without giving tension.   If your dog sits within that second say "good boy" or "good girl". 
STEP 3A:  If they do not sit within the second, give them the “try again” marker word “no”.  If they don’t respond to the marker word then give the collar correction by snapping (loose collar and leash, tight collar, loose collar and leash but quickly) the leash up so the collar makes kind of a zip zing sound.   Remember loose leash, snap the leash, then loose leash again.   Your dog may require more than one correction.   If they do not sit after 3 collar corrections, I do the interim correction for the fourth correction.   Also do not look undecided and confused during this period of time.   Just be very business-like and firm. 
STEP 3B:   Since your dog is just learning what a correction is, you can tell him/her that they are a "good boy" or "good girl" once they sit after the correction was given. 
STEP 4:  Release your dog with their release word “Yes”, and repeat for 10 minutes a day (but you can break each of these sections up into smaller time frames and reps if you want.   (Like 2 5-minute repetitions). 

© 2024     Robin Rubin DBA Mannerly Mutts