Sit from a Down

[xpaeanx]

So the little guy does sit from a stand perfect.

We're doing short distance/time sit/stays and they've been perfect.

Sit when I stop while we're walking perfect...

Downs from a sit or stand have been perfect, Down/stays with short distance/time perfect...


If he's "down" and then I ask him to sit... he looks at me like I have 10 heads..... and then just stares at me...

Any ideas on how to get him into a sit without repeating the command over and over or taking a step back so that he stands up to follow?

 

[Zoom]

Puppy pushups!

I start off with a lot of luring for this one and depending on how quickly they get the idea they're supposed to sit up, very gentle upwards pressure with the collar to encourage them to follow the treat and relieve the tension. I tend to start off sitting next to the dog, as standing seems to encourage them to stand/get-up themselves and will work my way to my knees, then my feet as they become more keen on the concept.

 

[v-girl]

I use hand signals with almost all of my commands, which my dogs tend to respond better to than a command alone. For sit I bring my arm up to my shoulder and for down it is the opposite. It seems to help for my dogs to have a visual. And you may need to use a little gentle guidance as stated above. As dogs are contextual and you are asking him to do something different to him that he doesn't know. After he catches on what you are asking he will understand that any time you ask him to sit from any position he will know what that means.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[dogsarebetter]

both of my dogs have had trouble going up from a down to a sit. but the eventually caught on.

 

[DanL]

2nd vote for puppy pushups. Start close and give the sit command and step towards him, and give a nudge if he won't sit. I used to touch Gunnar's paws with my foot and he'd sit right up. Then praise praise praise. Gradually increase your distance over time. Soon you'll be doing them from 50 yards away.

edit- I can't spell...

 

[xpaeanx]

cool beans! Thanks guys! will try it tonight.

and v-girl, We use hand signals as well as verbal commands for everything.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Third/fourth/fifthing the puppy pushups

When I taught this, it helped if I leaned in a little when saying "sit". Encroaching her space made her pop up on her own.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I do the same thing, but instead of teaching hand signals or using lures, I use a hand touch to get them to sit up. They know to touch my hand with their nose, so I just hold my hand above their head and they have to sit up to touch it.