How to Train Your Puppy or Dog Using verbal markers (luring the sit)

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By mommyhen42
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Jake at 4 months doing a very nice sit

Training a puppy or dog can be challenging and can wear on your nerves as you try to get your dog to do what you want him to do. But with patience and a few simple tools that I will teach you. You CAN train your dog or puppy yourself, without those expensive dog training classes or private training lessons.

We will be using verbal markers to lure the sit. Once you understand this concept you can continue training your dog yourself.

After all, a well trained dog becomes a member of your family, is included in family plans and a joy to be around.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

hungry dog or puppy
tasty treats cut up very tiny
collar
leash
time

Step 1

a properly adjusted and well fitting collar with a leash is a must if you are going to train a puppy

First you will want to put your collar and leash on your puppy. If he is of a working breed he may be highly distractible and you will need the leash to keep his focus and attention on you
Step 2

you will need some sort of treat bag to store your treats, this is a commercial one that you can buy for around $10

You will need a bait bag and treats cut up into very tiny pieces, these treats need to be just a taste not something you puppy will need to take time to chew.

I use a fanny pack as a treat bag because I can also store my clicker, car keys, cell phone and whatever else I may need in the bag. Also I typically wear a fanny pack instead of carrying a purse so my dogs never know if I have the treat pack or my purse... gotta fool them pupsters!
Step 3

These are the I-clicks clickers, of all the clickers out there I love these the best, but again for this one I am suggesting using a verbal marker.

For this exercise we will be using verbal markers but if you are proficient with the clicker you can use this as well. For me it is difficult to manage the clicker, leash and treats... so I use a verbal marker.
Step 4

do not be afraid to get down on the floor with your dog or puppy for training sessions

Ok we will be luring the sit so if you have a small dog or puppy you will want to sit on the floor, if you have a larger dog or puppy you can sit on the couch.

Encourage your puppy to look at you and face you then you will show the puppy the treat, remember to keep it small.
Step 5

This trainer is a bit far from her dog but you can see her holding the treat above the dogs head and he is sitting nicely

palm the treat so that he can not get to it, and then you will move your hand towards your puppy at about shoulder (the pups)level and as you move your hand closer to the puppy you will raise it above his head.
Step 6

once he is sitting you will then say

This will cause the puppy to want to back up and jump up for the treat in your hand, but since you are holding the leash you will not allow this. Do not let him back up, instead you want him to look up at the treat as you raise it over his head.

If he is jumping up trying to get the treat your hand is too high over his head, lower your hand and he should sit.
Step 7

Keep your treats in your pocket, a fanny pack or treat bag as shown

As his nose points upwards to the treat in your hand his butt will automatically go down and he will assume a sitting posture. As soon as his butt hits the floor, say "yes" followed by "good sit" as you feed him the treat from your hand.

Try not to use your hand to push his butt down into a sitting position. Dogs usually resist pressure and he may try to force a stand, this can damage growing joints.
Step 8

as soon as his butt hits the floor mark it with a YES and treat

Do NOT say sit before his butt hits the floor or your smart puppy will think he did something correctly when he was not sitting but rather doing something else...

Try to time it exactly, butt hits floor = Yes immediately followed by the treat.
Step 9

If he tries to jump up to get the treat from your hand, you are holding your hand too high, lower it and he should follow putting his front feet on the ground and his butt on the floor

If he jumps up you push downwards with your hand, remember the treat should be fully enclosed in your hand so that he will not be able to snatch it. As you push your hand downwards if his butt hits the floor immediately say "yes" followed by "good sit"
Step 10

Once he sits correctly the first time, give him a jackpot and stop the session for now

Once he has done this correctly about 10-15 times you can hold your hand over his head and say "sit" if he sits, immediately say "yes" and toss several treats on the floor followed by several "good sit" and end the session on a positive note
Step 11

Always end on a positive note with lots of treats and praise

keep training sessions short.

Always finish on a positive note with a big jackpot of treats and then a play session to break up the stress of training.

Do not worry if he immediately jumps back up after getting his treat this gives you a chance to ask for another sit.

Comments

ganoza02 said

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on 5/1/2009 Interesting article, very well written and I love the pictures that came along with this article. Thanks.

xtraordinary said

on 4/23/2009 Very thorough and well-written article. 5 stars~

mommyhen42 said

on 4/19/2009 you bet! I forgot to mention that one, Thanks.I use both hand signals and verbal markers. My dogs love working just to hear the enthusiastic YES and when I finish I always tell them THANK YOU followed by a great play or tug session. Jake lives for the tug game.