Sit on the Dog

Posted: February 21st, 2014

In yesterday’s post, you saw the Dodge doing his version of “sit on the dog.” Clearly he wasn’t sitting on Emmett so what was that all about?

Sit on the dog” is a technique that establishes a bond with you and your dog while also conveying some messages to him: your leadership and your dominance.  It also helps your dog learn down time, something that’s useful for all dogs but especially hyperactive ones.

Dogs need more than fun, petting, and excitement. All dogs, even puppies, need to learn to relax and “be.” This creates a balanced dog. One that knows there is a time to play, and time to simply sit (and ham it up).

emmetcollage

Something we see a lot of in the young dogs that end up in shelters and rescues is they want to act like a puppy. Sure when they were cute, cuddly 15 pounders it was fun to have them walking all over you and kissing you incessantly or acting all a fool. We expect them to be “on” all the time because they are too stinkin’ cute to leave alone!

But then our cute 15 pounder starts to grow. A LOT. And he’s still acting that same way because we haven’t taught him any different. And now that he’s 70 pounds, it can be a bit much.

Now he’s not cute anymore and, well, really, how long do we normally stay infatuated? Now there’s a new xBox or now the kids are into sports and here’s this dog that has been taught only to be excited all the time and, well, “we don’t have the time to give him the life he deserves.”

And what happens to those dogs?

Even if you’re past that puppyhood, it’s not too late to start working on exercises like “sit on the dog.” It sounds simple, and it is, but it works as we’re setting with Emmett.

Give it a try.

For those who are interested, Dodge is not adoptable but Emmett is.
(Photo courtesy of Show Me YOUR Dog Training, LLC)