I would like to teach Chula to sit and wait for my command before chasing a ball/frisbee. How do I start this training?
As soon as I cock my arm she is bouncing around in anticipation of the throw, or takes off even before the ball is released...
I've tried with her starting in a down, but she breaks the down as soon as she realizes I'm going to throw the ball...

hi

first you have to teach the stay command, when he perfects it...bobs your uncle

I would assume that the dog would be on leash, or for this case, I prefere a tab. Of course this is assuming that you are in an enclosed area and can recall when needed, otherwise do it on a long line.

Have the dog sit next to you. I have never taught my dogs stay, I expect them to stay in the position until I release them or give a new command; the implied stay. So I have the dog sit next to me, hold the tab in my hand, remind the dog to sit, and throw the ball. Try a shorter distance than typical, maybe 1/3 of where you would normally throw.

As you have already mentioned the dog will probably try to jump off, but hold on and wait until she chills and sits. I really would not correct for the excitement at this point (beyond what she does to herself), as this is a new exercise and a HUGE distraction, just don’t let her break. When she finally chills and sits down and looks at you for even a split second (while sitting) then release with word of your choice and maybe even run with her and play! Make it fun and not about correction. That can come later when proofing.

Eventually she will catch onto the game and look at you very quickly and for the chance to go.


PS: Super cute picture of her! She has grown up into a very beautiful and regal girl.

Jessica, thanks. That sounds good...

I didn't know to teach the stay command first, but it has worked well for my dogs. I did the same thing, held them and said wait, and of course they wanted to charge off, but I just kept saying, Waait, Waait, and of course at first didn't make them wait long, the waits got longer and longer and then they could do this while not on leash. I reinforced this at the door, coming in and going out...when getting in the car, wait; and they soon picked it up. Of course as soon as I released them, it was party time and boy were they ready.
Just an insight in to my attempts. Now if I am walking them, I can say wait, and they will stop. I also have them sit and wait before they eat.
May God bless you

lynne, she is looking gorgeous.

not exactly the same (food vs. ball), but what i did with neb when i started having him assis before feeding, is that i'd have him sit, and if he broke it as i was lowering his bowl, i brought the bowl back up and gave the assis command again. i just repeated that until he got that he had to stay sitting until the bowl was sitting in his crate. i never corrected him, we just went back to the expected behaviour. he figured it out pretty quickly.

 Quote: jessicakromer

I have never taught my dogs stay, I expect them to stay in the position until I release them or give a new command; the implied stay.

Exactly. Any command I give means to perform that command until I give another command or a release.
(of course I do find myself still saying "stay" when I shut the crate door....DUH old habits die hard )

I do have a "wait" command as well. When we are out walking (off lead) or working and the dog gets too far ahead, I say "wait" and the dog stops and looks at me until I say "free" and then they can move out again.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

lynne, she is looking gorgeous.

not exactly the same (food vs. ball), but what i did with neb when i started having him assis before feeding, is that i'd have him sit, and if he broke it as i was lowering his bowl, i brought the bowl back up and gave the assis command again.

Chula thanks you for the compliment!

She's great w/ food; she was taught to sit and wait for my release for dinner from about 12 weeks old or so. It's the moving objects that are giving us trouble...

oh yeah, i just meant you might be able to apply the same concept. neb would break his sit out of over-excitement/anticipation, same kind of reason chula is breaking for the ball.

I know this is a couple days old, but you could try a smaller move. My husband likes to have Max sit and wait while he rolls the ball across the room, then release him to race after it. He did have to keep a hand on his lead at first though so Max got what he wanted.

He keeps saying wait, wait until he's ready to give the 'ok'. Max has limited success in keeping himself under control, but I think that's more because this has been a very informal game rather than a proper command.

So maybe if you start by just rolling the ball a foot or so and then making it go further and further as Chula gets better at waiting. Then work your way up to throwing the ball a small distance and then longer distances.