Comments on: My dog won't sit on command http://thedish.sitstay.com/2007/11/15/my-dog-wont-sit-on-command/ Dog Training, Tips and Opinions Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:46:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kellyn http://thedish.sitstay.com/2007/11/15/my-dog-wont-sit-on-command/#comment-4 Kellyn Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:45:42 +0000 http://dogdish.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/my-dog-wont-sit-on-command/#comment-4 Dear Darc, Ok but what if your dog is very skittish and when you try the "usual" tricks that make the average dog sit, this one just runs away from you? I have two dogs - my first one came to us totally socialized and sweet - gets along with everyone (except the UPS guy, but that's another email) - she was SO easy to train - has all her basics down pat. The 2nd dog came from what I believe was a puppy mill - not abused but totally apart from humans and probably stuck in a kennel most of the day. Very shy and skittish. He only comes close on his terms and while he's WAY better than a year ago when we got him, he still has major issues and not only will he not sit, but he won't come on command either. This could be a result of having been so caged the first 6 months of his life (before we got him). He has wander-lust BIG TIME. But I try to show him by example, too. When it's treat time, we go to the treat cupboard and I have Roxie sit (to try and show him what I'm talking about) and then I praise and give her the treat. When it's Charley's turn, he runs for the hills if I ask him to sit. He is an intelligent dog - he knows how to go get his bunny or his ball so I know it's not an intellect issue, I just am not sure how to approach this. The standard training methods have not worked thus far. HELP! Kellyn <em>Dear Kellyn, Use a different word for "sit" or no words at all until he knows what it means. "Butt" is kind of cute if you don't mind saying the word in public. If he's running away when you say the word, he may be associating the word with something bad that happened to him in the past. Get a <a href="http://www.sitstay.com/dogs/buddy+system?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&pageSize=10&searchOp=1&storeId=10001&hiddenGSearch=buddy%2Bsystem&GSearch=buddy+system" rel="nofollow">Buddy System leash</a> and use it with your skittish dog. He will always be beside you, in his crate, or in a safe place until the jitters are completely gone. With the Buddy System, he can't run away and he'll bond with you more quickly. Feed all food by hand, one bit at a time, this is a huge bonding ceremony twice a day. You might have to use some high powered treat to teach tricks, something that he really loves, like warm cooked chicken, that does it for most dogs. Put the chicken into your hand, wave it in front of his nose, when his nose follows the treat, lift it gently back up and over his head. Nose goes up, butt goes to the floor, give the treat. "Come" is easy, even for worried dogs. Have a bit of food and take a step back, as he takes the food, not before, say "Come" in a quiet, gentle voice. Do that over and over and over with each bite of dinner. Praise and laugh softly, "You are brillant, My Darling." If he's not food motivated, use his toys. And if a lure like I just described doesn't work, wait for him to sit, be vigilant so you don't miss it, when he sits (all dogs do it) say the word, treat and praise. Carry treats all the time and when he comes to you for any reason, say "Come" the instant before he gets to you so you're rewarding his actually coming all the way to you. Give the treat and praise. Sometimes we have to catch dogs doing the thing, rewarding it will make it happen again and again on cue. Let us know how it goes. Clicker training is the best way to communicate with dogs. Give it a try, you'll find the <a href="http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchDataId=263814&errorURL=&storeId=10001&storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=SitStay&productFlag=y&productId=39245&langId=-1&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&ddkey=EGSearchData" rel="nofollow">SitStay Clicker Training Kit here</a>, I think you will be amazed once you start using it. Get started with agility, it's a great confidence builder and remember, lots of walking every day.</a>. - Darc</em> Dear Darc, Ok but what if your dog is very skittish and when you try the “usual” tricks that make the average dog sit, this one just runs away from you?
I have two dogs – my first one came to us totally socialized and sweet – gets along with everyone (except the UPS guy, but that’s another email) – she was SO easy to train – has all her basics down pat. The 2nd dog came from what I believe was a puppy mill – not abused but totally apart from humans and probably stuck in a kennel most of the day. Very shy and skittish. He only comes close on his terms and while he’s WAY better than a year ago when we got him, he still has major issues and not only will he not sit, but he won’t come on command either. This could be a result of having been so caged the first 6 months of his life (before we got him). He has wander-lust BIG TIME. But I try to show him by example, too. When it’s treat time, we go to the treat cupboard and I have Roxie sit (to try and show him what I’m talking about) and then I praise and give her the treat. When it’s Charley’s turn, he runs for the hills if I ask him to sit. He is an intelligent dog – he knows how to go get his bunny or his ball so I know it’s not an intellect issue, I just am not sure how to approach this. The standard training methods have not worked thus far. HELP! Kellyn

Dear Kellyn, Use a different word for “sit” or no words at all until he knows what it means. “Butt” is kind of cute if you don’t mind saying the word in public. If he’s running away when you say the word, he may be associating the word with something bad that happened to him in the past. Get a Buddy System leash and use it with your skittish dog. He will always be beside you, in his crate, or in a safe place until the jitters are completely gone. With the Buddy System, he can’t run away and he’ll bond with you more quickly. Feed all food by hand, one bit at a time, this is a huge bonding ceremony twice a day.

You might have to use some high powered treat to teach tricks, something that he really loves, like warm cooked chicken, that does it for most dogs. Put the chicken into your hand, wave it in front of his nose, when his nose follows the treat, lift it gently back up and over his head. Nose goes up, butt goes to the floor, give the treat.

“Come” is easy, even for worried dogs. Have a bit of food and take a step back, as he takes the food, not before, say “Come” in a quiet, gentle voice. Do that over and over and over with each bite of dinner. Praise and laugh softly, “You are brillant, My Darling.” If he’s not food motivated, use his toys.

And if a lure like I just described doesn’t work, wait for him to sit, be vigilant so you don’t miss it, when he sits (all dogs do it) say the word, treat and praise. Carry treats all the time and when he comes to you for any reason, say “Come” the instant before he gets to you so you’re rewarding his actually coming all the way to you. Give the treat and praise. Sometimes we have to catch dogs doing the thing, rewarding it will make it happen again and again on cue. Let us know how it goes.

Clicker training is the best way to communicate with dogs. Give it a try, you’ll find the SitStay Clicker Training Kit here, I think you will be amazed once you start using it. Get started with agility, it’s a great confidence builder and remember, lots of walking every day.. – Darc

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