Pets
Teaching "Sit"
Have a food treat in one hand, between your thumb and index finger. Make sure your palm is open and facing the ceiling. Hold it just in front of your dog's face at nose level. Lift the hand with food slightly above your dog's eye level, then push your hand back slightly over your dog's head. When your dog looks up at the treat he will probably sit to maintain balance. As soon as he sits, give him the treat and then praise him warmly. Do not say his name or "sit" -- just watch him follow the lure. Now release him with the release word you have chosen for this purpose. Remember, your release word means free to proceed, exercise finished. Whenever you ask your dog to do something, get into the habit of releasing him. Once your dog is reliably sitting by following the lure, you can now say your dog's name followed by "sit". Say "sit" one time right before your dog sits as you lure him. Do not repeat it over and over again. This teaches your dog to ignore you. If he does not sit immediately, just wait. A little patience usually makes the light bulb go on in your dog's head. Once he is sitting, you may reward him with the lure.- Homework: Using clear hand signals with a food lure ask your puppy to sit in a variety of locations. Reward each and every time for each successful "sit".
Teaching "Down" >>
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PETsMART Accredited Training Instructors, in addition to their previous experience, receive a minimum of 120 hours of training in a curriculum which includes: Canine Behavior, Learning Theory ("How Dogs Learn"), Problem-Solving, Classroom Management, Equipment, Handling Skills and more. Where possible, hands-on training is completed in partnership with local shelters, using shelter dogs to demonstrate training methods, behavior assessment and handling skills. This enables us to accredit our instructors while contributing to the community, as we help to make these dogs even more adoptable.
Suzanne Hetts Ph.D. is certified as an applied animal behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., in Denver, CO.
Terry Ryan is the well-known author of training books such as The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog and The Bark Stops Here.
Pia Silvani is the Director of Pet Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J.
Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Linfield College, an Animal Behavior Therapist and the Director of Training for Animal School in Portland, OR.
Trish King is the Director of the Animal Behavior and Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, CA.
Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified applied animal behaviorist and assistant professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where she teaches veterinary students courses in Applied Ethology and the Principles of Learning.
Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.
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