Teach Your Young Puppy to Sit

Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am

Here’s a little video I made on a simple method for teaching a very young puppy to sit.

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http://www.tclarkpetsolutions.com Tom

Hi, I am currently trying to figure out the best method to teach my puppy to sit and I am getting mixed reviews. On one hand I am being told that the best way to go about this is exactly how you said with the treat, on the other hand I was also told that if you use treats the puppy will begin to think it won’t have to do what I said without it. I believe both methods work, but what are your reasons for going the route with the treats?
.-= Tom´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Rosana Hart

Readers, I get a lot of comments that are really just other dog webmasters trying to get a link to their website so it will help them rank better or at least get them a few readers. I am pretty ruthless about not approving these comments, when they are things like “great site, keep it up” or full of unrelated links.

Since Tom’s website is just a one-pager promoting someone else’s ebook on dog training, I imagine he has the same motive. But at least he asked a reasonable question that is pertinent to the topic, so for that I will answer it!

In using treats, I am not concerned about a puppy thinking it will *have to* do what I said. I don’t want it thinking that I am the master and it darn well better obey me or else. I want it thinking that is so much fun, that this is a great game. Over time, then, the habit gets established and becomes automatic. This is far more deeply ingrained that a response based on fear.
http://www.tclarkpetsolutions.com Tom

Rosana thanks for your response. I am actually interested in the answer because I do have a website but I also have dogs…lol. So I guess I have a double motive going on. My best friend is a dog trainer and he takes the alpha male approach, so I guess I am asking is it “wrong” for your dog to look at it as I’m the boss so he/she should listen? Can this be done without it neccessarily being fear based?
.-= Tom´s last blog ..Making A Decision Between A Male Or A Female Dog =-.
Rosana Hart

I think that any method can work if it is used with attention and respect. Really pay attention to your dog’s emotions and reactions and learn from that.

Reminds me of a study I once read that indicated that in psychotherapy, it was more important what the therapist’s personality was than what theories they subscribed to, in terms of beneficial results!