Teaching Cassidy to sit using clicker training couldn’t have been easier. Mainly because
sitting is something dogs readily do. With clicker training we just waited for it to happen, which is so different from how we used to teach the command. In that, we’d say, “sit,” and follow through with a physical prompt, or an upward tug on the leash.
I guess you could say that clicker training is hands free, in terms of there being no physical follow through after giving the command (or “cue” in clicker-training lingo.) But Cassidy seems to like it, and she’s really learning.
So, here’s how we taught her to sit:
Step 1
- We watched. Every time we noticed Cassidy sitting, no matter what we where doing, or whether or not we’d asked her to do so, we’d click the clicker and give her a treat
Step 2
- We waited. It took no time for Cassidy to figure out that sitting = treats. She also learned that a click from the clicker meant something. Now, during training sessions, whenever she saw me holding the clicker all I would have to do was wait and she would sit on her own – no follow through needed. Then I’d click and give her a treat.
To watch of video of step 2 click here: http://youtu.be/NwoEaO04SVM
Step 3
- We named the behavior: After Cassidy consistently offered the sit in the presence of the clicker, we began saying the word,”sit,” right before she would do it. Sometimes we’d wait for her to do what we wanted, but this usually didn’t take long. Then we’d click and give her a treat.
That was how Cassidy learned to “sit” on cue.
To read an article about teaching recall click here: the-trouble-wi…assidy-to-come/
One of the most bemusing moments in my life came when I introduced our Sissy to Turid Rugaas, a dog expert who has made quite an impression on many who have taken her seminars. When I learned that we’d have an opportunity to consult with Turid I was head over heals excited. I had read her books and knew something about her methods. I desperately wanted to learn what was necessary to help Sissy become a well adjusted dog.
Turid asked me to unlatch Sissy’s leash. Automatically I commanded Sissy to sit. As I unclipped the leash Turid gently let me know that there was no reason for Sissy to sit. She explained that it is important for dogs like Sissy to have as much freedom as possible and that includes freedom from expectations to do things that have no bearing on their or others’ well being. She explained sitting can frankly cause orthopaedic damage to some dogs, and that sitting can cause an alarming increase in cranial pressure.
I am in no position to advise and don’t want to be preachy, yet I think that sharing my experiences and what I have learned about helping Sissy could help others. I am the kind of person who has no problem inquiring into long held beliefs, practices and assumptions. Helping Sissy has caused me to think, rethink and examine my values about some broad reaching fundamental matters.
Dogs can sit when they want to. The challenge is for us to consider if it is reasonable and in our dog’s best interest to sit because we want it to. There may be more than one good answer, but for now I know what the answer is for our dog.
Thank you so much for sharing that Gary. As you know, Cassidy’s Journey supports and encourages a variety of voices and different points of view. It’s for each of us as individual pet owners to make informed choices for our own dogs. This is yet another take on a common practice that I was not aware of, and now I know.