Hi, I have recently added a 4 yr old yellow lab to my family. She is a retired show dog (has a number of titles to her name) and has had 2 litters. I have tried everything under the sun, but I cannot get her to sit. I know show dogs are not allowed to sit in the show ring, and she has obviously been taught not to sit, but I'm finding this very challenging. She is also not very food motivated (strange for a lab I know). She walks perfectly on a loose leash and in all other areas she is just a real sweetie. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Why do you need her to sit? Does she ever sit at all, or goes straight from standing to lying? If she doesn't naturally sit, or seems uncomfortable when sitting I would be slightly suspicious of a pain issue. She sounds like a perfect, well trained and socialised dog, just think how useful that stand will be when you take her to the vet.
I don't think I would worry about her not doing a "sit" on cue unless you are wanting to do obedience competitions. She sounds like a lovely dog, easy to get on with.
I would like to continue with trialling - I've always trialled in Rally and obedience. She has been checked out - she has no issue with sitting. Show dogs are trained to not sit as sitting would mean instant disqualification from the show ring. I'll just keep on trying and eventually the penny will drop for her.
She is indeed, but I do want to trial in Rally and obedience (possibly). I've done that will all my dogs and we really enjoy it. I'll just keep trying. Eventually the penny will drop that it is ok to sit when asked (show dogs are not allowed to sit in the ring).
Hi @adnil444 Does she ever sit at all when she is resting? If so, you can try capturing. I had mixed success trying to teach greyhounds to sit. The one I achieved success with, was the one I shaped to a sit.. It took a long time. I also tried on a steep slope head, pointing down the slope. Distance between the ground and dog's behind is less. You might have more success. Good luck.
Thanks Michael. She sits all the time - when I see her sitting, I will say the word sit to reinforce that behaviour. I have just started getting some success with rewarding her - it is a slow process but I think she is beginning to understand the cue. I agree with the greyhouds - I teach basic dog obedience and responsible dog ownership at my local dog training club. There is a greyhound rescue group associated with the club and we have limited success with getting the greys to sit and drop. They all walk beautifully on lead, stand and stay too. Having said that, one of the rescues recently achieved his Rally Advanced title - yay!
Agree about the greyhounds. Lovely dogs. I've find luring the down to be a successful mode of teaching. Some of the greyhounds need muscle manipulation from a physiotherapist before they can physically sit. Yeah you want to be capturing her in the process of sitting--half way into a sit. It can be a slow process, because she has to work out what it is about her behaviour that is resulting in your pleasure and the treats.
I have a show dog and here in europe if a dog sits on the ring they are no disqualified. My dog makes the show stack and sit on cue, normally. Maybe in US is different, mine sits on the ringue when is waiting for the other dogs been judge.
Is sitting in the a ring a DSQ in the US? One of my friends who goes to shows (we don't) said the Best in Show Newfie (Last year at Westminster I think) actually lay down and rolled on his back.
