Teaching the “Puppy Sit”

31.With your puppy at your left side, place your right hand on the collar and your left hand on your puppy’s rump just above her tail. “Roll” your puppy’s haunches under with a tuck of your left hand. As you’re rolling your puppy’s rump under, gently apply upward and backward pressure with the collar.As you’re placing the puppy into the position, say “SIT.” When the puppy is there, cheerfully say “Good SIT!”

32.Do not push down on your puppy’s pelvis and never use force when teaching SIT! Your puppy’s rump should roll right under her as you slide your hand down and over her tail. If you curl your hand gently under her buttocks while you do this, she will automatically roll her haunches under for you.

Teaching the “Puppy Down”

33.Begin with your puppy in a SIT by your left side. Place your left hand on your puppy’s upper shoulders and back, with your right hand underneath your puppy’s front legs,palms up. With a sweeping motion, move your right hand forward as you gently push your puppy’s front feet forward and out from underneath him. While doing this,apply gentle,steady pressure downward on your puppy’s shoulders as your puppy slides softly into the DOWN position. As you place the puppy into the position, say “DOWN.” When the puppy is there,cheerfully say “Good DOWN!”