[chicagojosh]

Hi all,

So I met on Saturday with a new trainer. Our 1st private lesson is on Wednesday night. Anyhow, right away she commented on Cody's sit.

He has gotten sloppy. Sometimes he takes like a step or two back when sitting. and sometimes after he sits, he just starts to slouch a bit...like he has bad posture. His sits used to be cleaner.

So, I this a big deal? Why did Cody get sloppy? Is this something I should spend time on? or is my new trainer getting hung up on something silly?

thanks!

 

[Jax08]

If you are planning on competing then it is a big deal. I have the same problem.

 

[chicagojosh]

hi jax,

i'd like to do agility with him, but really just for fun and "job" purposes, not competetion. after learning maybe just buy some stuff and set it up in the backyard...

 

[Jax08]

they don't sit in agility.

But if you ever want to do obedience, rally then you'll want him to have a nice sit. It's much easier to teach them correctly the first time than to redo and possibly have to use a new word.

 

[chicagojosh]

gotcha...lol. yeah i hightly doubt i'll get into sch or rally. dock dog could be cool too, but anyway.

he learned it right, then overtime he's just gotten sloppy ya know? maybe he's being a lazy a s $ lol

 

[Emoore]

I think it depends entirely on if it's a big deal to you. If you're planning to compete then you'll need to demand a straight sit, and now is the best time to work on it. If he's just going to be a companion and you're only worried that he sits when you say so, then don't worry about the sloppiness.

When I was doing agility with Cash, I taught him two different sit commands because he liked to sit sideways on one hip. "Siddown" meant, "just go ahead and sit however you want," whereas "Cash, sit," meant, "I need you to sit straight right now."

Similarly, I teach two different down commands. "Lay down" means, I don't care what you do or where you do it so long as you're laying down. Go take a nap on the couch for all I care." "Platz" means a more "jackrabbit" style obedience down.

 

[fatmit1]

Emoore, was it very difficult for Cash to learn the difference between the two commands for similar movements?

 

[chicagojosh]

hi emoore, thanks for the thoughts. yeah he's just my buddy haha, don't plan on winning any titles with him, so honestly im somewhat indifferent about his sit as long as he does sit when i say.

BUT, i hired this trainer to help me, so part of me also feels why hire an expert if im going to tell her "oh, i don't think thats a big deal so move on"...

 

[chicagojosh]

Emoore, was it very difficult for Cash to learn the difference between the two commands for similar movements?

good question...

 

[Emoore]

Emoore, was it very difficult for Cash to learn the difference between the two commands for similar movements?

Not at all. He was extremely motivated to please so he was a joy to train. *Oh Lord I'm tearing up again*

I made a distinction between training the more formal obedience commands and the casual around the house ones. I didn't use them interchangeably in one training session. Dogs know when it's time to work and when you just want them to go lay on the couch.

Josh, what did you hire the private trainer for? If it's not for help with formal obedience, I don't see anything wrong with letting her know you don't need a formal obedience sit.

 

[Stogey]

DJ will sometimes sit with both legs off to one side, effectively putting his weight all on his butt. Then other times he does his " I'm a German Shepherd and **** proud sit " it's very random with him.

Opps sorry I didn't know we couldn't say **** on this site .....

 

[Jax08]

If you hired a private trainer for specific things and you have no intention of ever competing then I would work on the things you want too. No sense paying for an entire session on the proper sit when you need help with reactivity or focus.

 

[DanielleOttoMom]

Emoore,

Otto is taught the same way. Platz is the "jackrabbit" with the "what's next face". Very quick clean and fast Platz. Then the lay down... just like you said go lay down were ever.

I would tell the trainer your goals that you have for your dog. What you would like accomplish as a team. There are different training methods to different sports. Good luck with your pup.

 

[kiya]

Lakota has a sloppy sit too. Some day I would like to get to the next level and perhaps compete so I continue to go to classes, we are considered in a performance obedience class. It was really easy to get her to sit "up" straight. Just by holding the treat above her nose a little. Now she'll sit straight when I tell her "straighten up". Same for when we heel and I stop, I tell her "get in" if she sits too far out.

 

[chicagojosh]

If you hired a private trainer for specific things and you have no intention of ever competing then I would work on the things you want too. No sense paying for an entire session on the proper sit when you need help with reactivity or focus.

that is another good thought. I hired her for 2 reasons. 1 is for being dog reactive on lead, and 2 is general obediance and getting to advanced.

 

[chicagojosh]

Emoore,

Otto is taught the same way. Platz is the "jackrabbit" with the "what's next face". Very quick clean and fast Platz. Then the lay down... just like you said go lay down were ever.

I would tell the trainer your goals that you have for your dog. What you would like accomplish as a team. There are different training methods to different sports. Good luck with your pup.

Thanks Danielle, I'll see what she thinks about a 2nd sit command.

 

[chicagojosh]

thanks kiya, so the one question unanswered is...does anyone know why a perfectly good sit would get sloppy?

 

[chicagojosh]

DJ will sometimes sit with both legs off to one side, effectively putting his weight all on his butt. Then other times he does his " I'm a German Shepherd and **** proud sit " it's very random with him.

Opps sorry I didn't know we couldn't say **** on this site .....

haha, Cody still does the perfect sit sometimes, but more oftent than not lately he's doing the backpeddle into the sit

 

[jakeandrenee]

I wouldn't worry about the sit at all right now, I'd ask that trainer to focus and help you and Cody with the reactivity FIRST.....cleaning up a sit second...

 

[chicagojosh]

my thoughts exactly Renee