10 Ways To Teach A Sit WITHOUT A Food Lure! Unreal Results For Puppies And Dogs Of All Ages

There’s a good chance that you’ve seen how to train a sit by luring your puppy or dog with a treat above their nose. I teach a sit 10 different ways, and none involve a lure. I’m covering the details of the 10 alternate ways to train a sit, how I use them and why, plus the reason I am never in a hurry to put sit on cue. You’ll be able to pick one of the 10 ways I’m sharing and start having fun training your puppy or dog to sit right away.
00:00 Teach your dog to sit several ways with Susan Garrett.
01:06 My criteria for a proper sit.
01:50 The effect of a “sloppy sit” on your dog’s health.
02:50 Reasons dogs should sit at your side.
03:45 The different ways dogs perform sits.
04:40 When to teach puppies ‘sit’ and name the behavior.
05:28 Teach Sit Method 1: Tugging.
06:46 Teach Sit + Stay Method 2: Crate Games.
08:05 Teach Sit Method 3: Bed Games.
09:17 Teach Sit Method 4: Foot Target.
10:37 Teach Sit Method 5: Plank Games.
12:31 Teach Sit Method 6: Target Stick.
13:53 Teach Sit Method 7: Cookie Throws (Search Game).
15:50 Teach Sit Method 8: Creating an Alley.
17:14 Teach Sit Method 9: Capturing a Sit.
18:27 Teach Sit Method 10: Free Shaping.
In the episode you'll hear:
• What a sit is for a dog and how it’s very particular.
• The physical considerations to notice when looking at your dog’s sit.
• That I want my dogs to sit with hips and hocks aligned.
• About knowing your criteria for a sit, including why fast is important.
• Why I don’t want my dogs to sit in front of me unless it’s for a dog sport.
• The difference between a “push back” and a “pop up” sit.
• Why I don’t name the behavior of sitting with a young puppy.
• How you could go for months without putting sit on cue.
• That the “search” game allows dogs to reset and sit.
• The details on the 10 ways to teach your puppy or dog to sit: Tugging, Crate Games, Bed Games, Foot Target, Plank, Target Stick, Shaping, Rz Alley, Capturing, Free Shaping
Resources:
1. KZbin Video: Understanding Your Dog’s Reinforcement Zone (RZ) - • Understanding Your Dog...
2. Podcast Episode 113: Your Dog’s Verbal Cues And Hand Signals: How To Effectively Train Both - • Your Dog's Verbal Cues...
3. Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - • Why Dogs Should Not Tu...
4. Get Crate Games Online - dogsthat.com/y/crategames
5. KZbin Video: Perch Work (Pivots and Spins) - • Susan Garrett’s Perch ...
6. KZbin Video: Target Stick Training Part One - • Susan Garrett's Target...
7. KZbin Video: Target Stick Training Part Two - • Susan Garrett's Target...
8. Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home (Search Game) - • 20 Easy Ways to Exerci...
9. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - • How To Teach A Dog To ...
10. Podcast Episode 121: How To Stop Dogs Jumping Up On People - • How To Stop Dogs Jumpi...
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
- - - - - - -
Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
- - - - - - -
Our Website: dogsthat.com
Facebook: / susangarrettdogagility
Instagram: / susangarrettdogsthat
TikTok: / dogsthat
LinkedIn: / dogsthat
Pinterest: pinterest.ca/dogsthatcom/
Twitter: / susangarrett
There’s always something new happening at Dogs That, so if you’d like to be the first to know, visit our website, register to receive updates, and we'll keep you in the loop.
dogsthat.com

[@DogsThat]

Discover why you won’t need to use the word “stay” when you are teaching your puppy or dog to sit - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_Rn6KngceHsM0

[@warriorstudeo188]

Do you do one on one zoom classes?

[@tzoofnakar6170]

I've seen this so many times and still come back to watch it again ❤

[@debbiestrang7774]

Could you show more of the video of you training your dogs for visual learners please.

[@moverko8566]

I have a 15 week old Yorkie puppy who is not the slightest bit food motivated and I was becoming increasingly frustrated trying to train her, I stumbled across this video and started working with her using these methods and I am so happy!!! She understood what I wanted her to do! After working with her for 10 minutes I could get her to sit without a toy or a command and by the end of the night she was bringing me all of her toys and sitting down in front of me!!!

[@susandr6477]

I was having a hard time getting a sit with a lure but tried the toy and it’s working! Thanks for that

[@FA37800]

GREAT session! It’s been six years since I’ve had a puppy. Amazing what I’ve forgotten!!

[@tamiiona6429]

I’m excited to have seen this video. I’ve been saying ‘sit’ without giving Faith the proper understanding of what it is. By using a combination of these suggestions, using a clicker vs saying ‘yes’ (so diluted) and not using the word sit is improving our connection and bond with each other. Thanks!

[@annettefry9347]

Love this podcast. Didn't realize that my dog had a sloppy sit with her feet winging out. The plank exercise is wonderful. Thank you Susan and team !

[@silviamadrisa]

Thank you! I love this approach and I'm now checking out your web site. Just got a 12-week old Papillon puppy, who is so smart and learns so quickly, I'm realizing the need for some learning for myself so he isn't inadvertently learning the wrong things! I see you have some online courses which would be a good starter for me while I look for someone locally for training. And this helps me identify better what I am looking for in a trainer and an approach.

[@jeffreyH360]

So glad you quickly explained the difference between a food lure and a target stick lure , because I kept screaming Susan a target stick is a lower!❤

[@annettefry9347]

Question... when playing crate games, feeding high and to the back, why does Susan not consider that a lure?

[@juliannalacey]

From what I’ve gathered it’s because you are using the treat High and Back, as a reinforcement for the sit/stay in the crate, luring would be more like using the treat to achieve the sit/stay. So if you’re treating before the desired behavior it’s luring, after is reinforcing the behavior.

[@johannetrickey5015]

I just discovered Susan Garrett's clips and love it. I am picking up my standard poodle puppy in June. I am binge watching her clips. I am shifting my thinking about dogs and realize that I have much to beg forgiveness for from my past dogs. I even had personal trainers coming to my home for training. One was proud to tell me: "See, she comes to me now" after throwing a heavy set of keys at her and hitting her. I got rid of him fast, she was scared of him. Thank you for clarifying so much and I wish I could go to her centre, just 5 hours from my place. Ho well. C'est la vie.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for opening your mind to Susan's training methods and wanting to do the best for your dog!

[@Calouha]

I love all your podcasts Suzan, they just bubble with joy and it's so much fun!!!

[@laurayaker8880]

It wasn’t until I watched this video that I realized my dog’s sit was a “sloppy” sit - often onto one hip or the other. I’ve asked vets and trainers about this before because I was concerned it might indicate a physical problem and they have all said I shouldn’t worry about it since he is able to do a proper sit. Now you’ve given me a way to tighten up his sit into a proper one. We tried the plank but he so far keeps seeing it as a place just to perch his front paws. (Using a bed he has a super fast hop into it and sit…just usually a crooked sit.) I think I’m going to have to work to get him sitting on something smaller like a bucket. Any other ideas on how to straighten up his sit are welcome.

[@embrady9254]

Thank you! This is perfect! I'm working with shelter pups and there's one who really needs to be taught how to be respecitable member of society lol She jumps, puppy nips, lunges and barks at dogs, all things you'd expect from a 9month old who's had no work. She's really good at giving me her attention and walking (loosly, but I'm not after much) next to me. I want her to have a sit to help with her attention on me when working around other dogs, it helps me more than anything. Having a nightmare trying to get her to follow a lure and I don't feel I have all the time in the world ( again she's a shelter dog, I only get an hour or two a week with her for this sort of thing). I thought I'd look for something else, something she might find more enjoyable. I'm really looking forward to trying some of these out with her! Thank you! I'm also really looking forward to watching the rest of your videos, it's a rariety I find a dog trainer on facebook I like these days lol. Thank you

[@LindsayHaven]

+1 for your bother's rescue beagle. I'm a sucker for a rescue. Thanks, as always, for the content. :)

[@tali7140]

Thank you!!!

[@chelseal654]

Thanks so much for the sit video!!!

[@annequaranta8165]

I’m a new subscriber and loving your content. We’re getting our rough collie puppy mid-August (first puppy in about 15 years after several retired racing greyhounds). We’re diving in deep! Thanks for the awesome help!

[@annaatkinson5267]

Love this! (Also love your hair in this one Susan! LOL) my new puppy's "gotcha day" is coming up soon (16 more sleeps!) so this is perfect timing! I'm going to try *all* of them! Thank you Susan! (If you have 10 ways to teach "stand" I'd love to see that video too! I know the one way you do it, but are there others?? Enquiring minds want to know!! LOL)

[@riealbh]

Oh my goodness, marvelous! I'll be trying this out ASAP. As always, my fantastic dog has helped me, he has a lovely (in my opinion) tight sit, for a pet dog and has managed to do it despite my horrendously clumsy teaching. We had so much fun today, we played asking for a cue whilst I was doing random things (lying down, jumping jacks and spinning round on a chair) seems he is clear on most cues (although he always tries to turn to face me....we're playing/working on that one) apart from the stand......which he feels is only to be done when I stand completely still! With out your guidance I wouldn't of ever known this (or bothered to find out)! Thanks for all of this awesome FREE training. You are incredibly generous. I'd love to share the video of us playing but I look like a mad woman, with a massive grin on my face, as the whole game made me laugh so much, Bodie was having fun too looking at his TEEMP! Goodness only knows what the neighbours thought!!

[@dougbarber3400]

Awesome Video and content. I don't even have my new puppy as of yet but have been watching every video you have put out. Would love to see more content just like this. When I get closer to getting my puppy will most definitely be jointing your on line classes. Thank you so much for your wonderful and insightful knowledge

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for tuning in and for such a great note, Doug!

[@cayenne_avec_elle]

I messed up with the tug-sit-tug game and I now have a tug-down-tug game. I'm also having trouble getting my pup to sit at all on command (where previously she was great at this). She knows to sit to be released from her crate and to sit before going outside, but in all other situations her first behavior to offer is a down. How can I get her back to sitting?

[@akyramoto]

my puppy started to pivot out to sit when on the leash, so the plank is an excellent idea to help cement that I want him to sit next to me, not walk forward, turn around to me and then sit.

[@paigegrillo8430]

Amazing!!

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Paige, happy training!

[@allisonlevy616]

Fantastic Podcast.

[@DogsThat]

Thanks for watching, Allison! Happy training!

[@allisonlevy616]

@@DogsThat your amazing I am a dog trainer I found your video to be very innovative and intelligent. Thank you again:)

[@ireneoppliger718]

I love you saying nei nei nei sounds like swiss german👍😅

[@evel_things]

These look like really fun games! I have a large Malamute. How big a perch should I make for them to do the 4th version?

[@adaszpakowska9384]

HI! How would the dog know (except for when using target) if it should sit in front of you or beside you? Will you later on add different cues for each one? Like "heel" for sitting next to you and regular "sit" to fit in front? I would love to hear more about it. Imma try your methods to get my dog listen at distance, so I start step by step with mastering these basic cues as you said, even though my dog in general understands them and have duration and distance (to some point) but she is really slow especially outside.

[@patriciarodrigues8068]

hello from Portugal, i have a nice puppy Border and i love yourvideos i have learn alot. I suggest a video to how make a plan for a dailly traning to basic obidience, sit dow stay, go to a bet wallk without push on a leash. just a line guide to a dailly training. Love the videos Susan andkeep helping ;)

[@DogsThat]

Hi Patricia, thank you so much for tuning in! We have a video to help with your planning - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHe9oaFsZ9V8bJI

[@jenniferconkright8603]

I need some help with working with a wheelchair/rollator. Could you do a podcast on teaching your dog to walk next to a noisy cart in the store etc.? Please???

[@corvandergulik9419]

Great video. Once again, you have mentioned crate games. We are in Home School. Do we also need to do crate games? My Bo no longerbuses a crate.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Pamela, you could do HSTD and Crate Games as there is no overlap apart from Susan's brilliant training insights and foundations :-). Crate Games is great to create drive, self control and motivation. Here's the link in case you wanted to learn more: dogsthat.com/y/crategames

[@ABrookfire]

hi Susan, just found your channel and love it! we have a year old shepherd mix rescue we got when she was 4 mos old. SO smart and sweet. started training early but involved food treats. we must have messed something up because her sits have gotten inconsistent and sometimes very slow or it takes several commands. we try to have her sit at every door in or outdoors and wait before moving, but i like how you have things without a stay. we'll start over with crate games, but i'm confused - on the pivot/swivel game video, you're using food. is that not a lure? thanks! we'll keep going

[@DogsThat]

Hi Brookfire, it's awesome you found this video to help your puppy, and thank you so much for your lovely words about our channel 💙 Susan has a great video on the difference between shaping and luring that is full of insights and covers how we use treats, here's that link for you - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKmkloZod7Opgbs

[@mchenardcom]

Hi Susan, love the channel. I understand not being in a hurry to put sit on cue; however, when would you start, and how do you suggest doing it?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Michel, here's a blog Susan wrote a while back about when to add a cue: susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/when-do-i-add-a-cue/

[@cass.n.m]

Another great video. Slightly off topic but I noticed that at 7:33 when you release Tater, the other dogs also leave their stations. Do you have a way of releasing only the dog you're working with? I just got a second dog and I'm working on one dog stationing while I train the other - it's going well except when I'm teaching release cues to the new dog. The existing dog breaks position too and I don't know if I should withhold reinforcement and put him back because technically he did what he's trained to do, waiting until he hears the release cue!

[@RaptorsGirl]

I always say the dog's name I want to be released. When I forget (as I often do when caught up in the moment playing crate games) it can be a free-for-all because all of my dogs know Crate Game quite well so the release will trigger them into "play mode."

[@kerrygray2726]

Please may we have a podcast on default positions. ....a hundred years ago when I started dog training I was told a stand was the best default position? ??..I don't know too much about this subject. ....granny owned by a cattle dog

[@DogsThat]

Hi Kerry, thanks so much, added to suggestions. You might enjoy Susan's video on consent in dog training that covers "game on" and is packed with amazing insights - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6vShoiAiZqYn7M (DogsThat Team)

[@angiebirt6977]

How do u teach them to come on the plank?

[@Loris-Crazy-Life]

Well I’ve only been watching for a few days & omg you are my Dali Llama of all things dogs. But….. I am so completely overwhelmed feel like my dreams of learning agility courses & to be able to come to my work for company for my patients (long term care) ummmm yea . I’m still struggling with 3 manners. I’ve been so overwhelmed and stressed because I feel like a total looser. Letting him down. So I’m in tears and he is eating my shower or my clothes or whatever because I got to exhausted. Lol it is getting better but only because I learned what a clicker and treats can do.

[@DogsThat]

Lori, you got this! Just keep training to be a a little better each day, and don't forget to give yourself grace 💕

[@inoahnewf]

I am having a difficult time getting my Newfie to sit by my side. He doesn’t give me a nice straight sit - it’s either in front or off to the side. I have started using a wooden spoon as a target. I’m also using the side of the garage to help. Where can I get a plank like you have in the video? I would need to put two or three together. Can you also recommend a place to purchase a perch for perchwork? Thank you! 🐾

[@DogsThat]

Hi Donna, the plank is home made. For the perch, you can use stuff you already have, like an anti-slip food bowl, or piece of rubber. You can see Susan's suggestions around minute 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWfWm2mcia-hfMU

[@margielaughlin6056]

Definitely between 2 & 3, so will be going to the 14 list. Question: is Hot Zone the same as Place? Is it the crate? I know it is not the couch, there too often. Is there a best place for the Hot Zone?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Margie, initially we shape a Hot Zone to be something clear for our dogs, like a bed, but once we have strong foundations, anything suitable can be a Hot Zone. When Susan was training her dogs for the moves, she could even use a tape marker on the floor as a Hot Zone.

[@LongJohnSilver_PS5]

My dog - greyhound and older, does not sit if you raise food - he just walks backwards until he can see it in his eyeline and he has a long neck and good sight above him.

[@DogsThat]

Then the methods on this video are perfect for you! Happy training 🐾

[@camillastorm884]

Brilliant! Im so looking foreward to trying this with the 10 mnth Jack Russel coming to live with us next mnth, she has a real sloppy sit. Where can I find the crate game videos?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Camilla, here's the information for Crate Games - get.crategames.com/

[@dellamonroe8814]

I got a 7yo rescue who runs to my front and sits every time I pick up her harness or leash.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Della, you have probably experienced the magic of conditioned responses! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWbQaKGQeKd9h5o ✨

[@saradhiananth1613]

is this a repeat video ?

[@RaptorsGirl]

Nope! And it is a topic I have NEVER taught anywhere before, so maybe a wicked case of deja vu?

[@dianasmith9052]

Susan, I love what you do but the absence of using visual cues initially with lures quickly faded ,for teaching sit (and other basics like stand and down) is such a waste of novice trainer time when studies have shown dogs attend to human visual cues faster than verbal cues. They cue into our visual looks and hand gestures more quickly than chimpanzees or wolves. Dr. Brian Hare and the studies from Prague confirm this . Having an aligned sit is usually conditioned with the angle of the wrist and elbow presentation. Food lures often become crutches if not faded properly but absence of an olfactory . ed