Goal

Puppy learns to tuck his back feet forward into a sit position while his front feet remain stationary.

Why

Puppy can remain in heel position while changing from stand to sit.

Set Up

• No paw pad
• Quiet room without distractions

Procedure

1. The puppy will be allowed to perform the sit in front of the raiser sideways, for ease of helping the puppy maneuver into position.
2. With food in hand, the handler gains the puppy’s attention. Multiple pieces of food should be stashed in the handler’s hand so pezzing in the sit position can take place.
3. A standing puppy will move forward into the sit position if the lure is slowly moved forward and slightly above the puppy’s head. The food is to be on the puppy’s nose so that the puppy can easily follow the food lure.
4. When starting out, it is okay for the puppy to take several steps forward before moving its rear into a sitting position. Treats should be fed the whole time the puppy is moving into the sit position.
5. Once the puppy is in the sit position, several treats should be delivered to the puppy.
6. Have the puppy break from the sit position and start the sequence over. If the puppy will not move out of the sit position the handler may lure the puppy forward a few steps before starting the sequence.
7. Once the puppy is easily moving into the sit position, the use of a lure is no longer needed and can be signaled with the hand motion into the sit. The signal is done with the right-hand palm up, moving upward. If using the hand signal without food, the use of the marker word “Nice!” is used.
8. Once the puppy is responding to the hand signal, slowly move the signal away from the puppy’s nose towards a more natural position.