Week 3

[Day 16] "Sit" for advanced learners - strengthening impulse control and eye contact

October 22, 2024

Time to read 4 min

Basic obedience: Day 16 of 56

This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.

If your dog has already mastered the "sit" signal well, then you are ready for the next step: the advanced "sit"! This is not just about your dog sitting, but also about the combination of sit-stay and eye contact, which significantly strengthens your dog's impulse control. This skill is important in many everyday situations, whether waiting to be fed or on the street.

In this blog, we explain how you can deepen the "sit", incorporate eye contact into your training and teach your dog to remain calm even under distraction and at a distance. The aim is for your dog to sit patiently and stay focussed on you - a valuable helper in everyday life!

Goal: The dog sits down immediately on the signal, maintains eye contact and remains sitting until another signal or the cancellation signal is given.

Equipment: treats, Collar, Leash, clicker or marker signal

Location: Low-stimulus environment, later different locations

Duration: 5-10 repetitions, then rest

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"Sit" for advanced users - more than just sitting down

The "sit" signal is a fundamental building block in dog training, but there is much more potential if you take it to the next level. "Sit" for advanced learners doesn't just mean that your dog sits - it's about getting him to sit, give you eye contact and remain calm and patient even in distracting situations.

Why is eye contact so important?

Eye contact plays a crucial role in advanced training. It shows that your dog is not only physically sitting, but is also mentally with you. By teaching your dog to actively look at you, you increase his ability to concentrate and his willingness to follow you. This is particularly important in situations where you need your dog's full attention, e.g. in traffic or before Eat.

Eye contact also promotes your dog's impulse control. In moments when he might want to jump up - because he is distracted or something exciting is happening - eye contact helps him to stay calm and control his reactions. This turns the simple "sit" into a signal that gives your dog security and orientation.

Distance training - consolidating the "sit" at a distance

Another important aspect of advanced "sit" training is training at a distance. Your dog should be able to stay in "sit" even when you move away from him. This is particularly useful in situations where you want your dog to wait quietly in one place while you do something, for example. Whether you're taking out the rubbish or having a quick chat, your dog will stay calmly in the "sit" position without you standing right next to him.

The combination of distance and eye contact promotes your dog's confidence in your leadership and strengthens his self-control. It's a challenging training step, but the benefits are enormous: your dog learns to remain patient and focussed, no matter where you are.

Dog sits on a meadow and looks up a little.

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Summary

The advanced "Sit" combines the basic elements of the signal with eye contact, impulse control and distance training to support your dog even better in many everyday situations. It not only helps your dog to sit physically, but also to stay with you mentally. Through gradual training and generalisation, your dog will learn to reliably follow the "sit" in any environment.

A well-trained "sit" makes your life as a dog person much easier - you have your dog better under control, can master stressful situations and at the same time strengthen the bond with your dog. Stay patient and positive, and soon your dog will master the advanced "sit" like a pro!

[Day 15] "Sit" for beginners - How to teach your dog the correct "sit" signal

The authors: Paulina & Lui

Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull dog Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves fully to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.

From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.