Training Exercises



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The Release
Sit Stand and Down
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SIT, STAND & DOWN

Sit

 There are lots of things that a dog cannot do whilst it is sitting. Jumping up, running away etc.

Down

 Similarly, down is just as useful, if not more so.

Stand

 Ideal for grooming, drying feet & examination by a vet or a dog show judge.

If you are unsure as to whether to bother with the stand command, it is up to you but it is worth bearing in mind that whilst practising these exercises if there are two other options then he is more likely to pay attention and think about it.

  1. The Lure

    2. Using a food treat, lure your dog into the position that you require and reward as soon as he does it. DO NOT USE A VERBAL COMMAND AT THIS STAGE. Give more than one reward (variable) for each position and always tell your dog when he doesn't have to do it any longer (OK).

  2. Adding the command

    3. If you are successfully luring your dog into all three positions, now add the verbal command. (As well as the luring not instead of). Give the command then lure as before. DO NOT REPEAT THE COMMAND even if you have to wait for the response, unless you want to always have to give two or three commands!

  3. Changing the lure to a signal

    4. Show your dog the food treat in your hand but now move it away from his nose before giving a signal with the same hand and arm movement as the lure.

  4. Removing the visible reward

    5. Give the signal with an empty hand and deliver a reward from the other hand, pocket, table etc. If, because there is no food visible, the response is slow, then wait for it. If there is no response, then use food in your hand to get the position but do not give it. Then try again, repeating as necessary.

  5. Reducing the signal

    6. Show your dog a reward, put your hand behind your back and just give the verbal command. Reward the correct response. This usually works fairly quickly with the sit. For the down, instead of touching the floor with your hand, hover an inch above it and gradually increase the distance between your hand and the floor until you are getting a down with just the verbal command.

  6. Proofing

    7. Practice sitting your dog beside you as well as in front and also see if he will listen to you if you are not looking at him. If he will sit with just the command and no signal or eye contact then reward him lavishly.

Also work towards getting him to respond to the commands when at a distance from you. Try it with him tethered, behind a barrier or whilst he is in the garden with you at an upstairs window. Reward the correct response by throwing him a treat. If he can't catch or you are a lousy shot then give him the OK with the reward.

Notes

If your dog gets up from the down before you have released him then it is usually because he is following your hand. Put the rewards on the floor for him to take rather than from your hand and this will solve the problem. DON'T FORGET THE RELEASE.

If you are not getting a good response to the stand command it is probably because you usually ask him to sit or lie down when he is standing. Reward a stand as often as you do a sit or down.