Sit: Adding the Release Word
PREREQUISITE: Your dog should be sitting whenever you ask him with your verbal cue in a low distraction environment. If your dog is not doing this, please do not proceed to the next step. Go back to the previous lesson on sit and practice some more.
TOOLS:
- Treats
- Treat pouch or pocket
TRAINING ENVIRONMENT: Start in the least distracting (most boring) place in your home.
RECOMMENDED TREAT POSITION: In place (put the treat in your dog’s mouth)
STEPS:
- The word “Stay” is optional.
- Pick a release word or phrase. I use “go play”. It tells him he is relieved from duty and can go do whatever he wants.
- Do not move your feet! Pretend they are glued to the floor.
- Ask your dog to sit.
- When your dog responds to your “sit” cue, wait a few seconds.
- DO NOT CLICK.
- Put a treat in your mouth and immediately tell him “go play” (or whatever word you choose).
- Move your arms, use a high-pitched voice, and generally be very animated to get your dog up.
- When he does get up, praise him and let him know what a good dog he is!
HOMEWORK:
- PUPPIES: Practice five repetitions, three times a day.
- DOGS: Practice your stay at least ten repetitions, three times each day.
AT THE END OF THIS STEP:
You should be able to ask your dog for a sit and have him sit until you tell him to get up, keeping in mind you need to release him BEFORE he reaches his limit (before he hits the amount of time he has already stayed successfully waiting for the click).
TROUBLESHOOTING:
My dog won’t get up when I release him.
Try tossing a ball or other toy right after you say “Go play!” Try to find a way to motivate him to get up that he doesn’t like more than treats. Moving your feet is the last resort! It will cause problems down the road, and we want to avoid it at all costs.
My dog is getting up on his own.
Back up to the last place he was successful. Slow your progress, and work up to the place where your dog fell apart.