[shadyridge]

Hey guys. Anyone have any thoughts on how to fix sloppy downs and sits? We are trying to train Copper for Akc OB and he is learning but when it comes to the sits and downs they are messy.

 

[performanceknls]

Describe messy and I can give some help. Is he rocking back to sit and getting out of position? Or is he not straight? What about the down is not correct? Are you working with a club or a trainer, if not you need to. There are so many points you can lose in many places and you might have to trail a lot to be able to pass. Getting where a trainer can go hands on with you will give you the best chance of success.

How did you train your sits and downs? How does the heeling look?

 

[k8nkane]

You can also shape him to do better sits and downs. The faster (or better) he does a sit or down, the more treats he gets. Once you've given him the idea that the fastest/best sit/down wins the reward, you can start reducing the rate of reinforcement for them.

 

[Aczdreign]

You can also shape him to do better sits and downs. The faster (or better) he does a sit or down, the more treats he gets. Once you've given him the idea that the fastest/best sit/down wins the reward, you can start reducing the rate of reinforcement for them.

Now that's a good idea.

 

[bahamutt99]

Personally, I either pull the dog forward into a proper sit -- snug the collar up under the jaw -- or I lure forward with a treat. No cookie until its the picture I want to see. As far as lazy downs, that doesn't bother me as much. When doing a down-stay, I'd prefer my dog to "take a hip" so she's comfortable and at less risk of popping up. With sit-stays, though, those sits need to be correct.

 

[performanceknls]

I guess they weren't that worried about it they haven't posted.

One thing you want to be careful of with luring or even if it is natural to the dog, you do not want them to rock back to sit. That will have HUGE problems and points off later on. If they rock back to sit it puts them out of heel every time you halt and you lose points every time. You want a tuck sit where the front feet stay in place and the butt tucks underneath. The best thing is to find a club to work with so you can minimize points loss and learn from someone who knows what they are doing.