Most activities with your dog start from a sitting position.If I had to rate the importance of the foundation commands I guess I'd have to put the heel and sit at the top of the list.
Once again I will point out the difference between training for the show ring and the Allison Method of Dog Training which is aimed at everyday life.Your regular obedience trainer will want your dog sitting in an exact spot on your left side facing at a certain degree angle from you etc., etc., etc .I say your dog should be on your left side, pretty much facing forward and not leaning against your leg.period.I don't care if he isn't sitting perfectly square at a perfect angle.
Tell your dog to sit.If he doesn’t follow this directive then using your pinch collar and cat leash with the proper level of correction you have already determined (as explained previously) do your three correctionrule.Start with no-no-no followed by sit (pop of the leash at the same time) sit (again the pop) sit (pop).Immediately return to a slack in the leash position.Be sure you are popping in an upward and backward motion using your right hand with your left hand as the guide for the leash.In the beginning you may have to do this several times before your dog understands what you have just communicated to him.Remember to keep your voice calm and level do not loose your patience.As you continue to train other commands he will learn that the three correction rule needs to be followed the first time or it just goes on and on and on.Be sure to praise with good good as soon as your dogfollows his command.Timing is important.Even more important is returning to your slack in the leash position.
Practice the sit several times.Set up scenarios for practice such as acting like you're going to walk away just so when your dog tries to follow, you can use your three correction rule again.You need to train the dog not to leave the sit until he is released from the position by receiving another command.This will come into play as your dog learns new commands and you can string them together.After several positive responses from your dog try giving the sit command and dropping the leash to the floor behind the dog and walking around him a few times always going back to your three correction rule if the dog moves.Eventually increase the size of your walk around.Notice I don't use the command stay.I figure if I give a dog the sit command then that's what he's suppose to do until I tell him otherwise.
