What is the proper way to make the puppy sit without hurting him because I heard there was a special way to assist them in sitting and you must be careful because of their hips?

Currently too I hold him in a sit position but to be sucessful do I need to be able to let go and keep having him sit?
For example when I bring him into the house after a potty trip.
I tell him to sit. I use the leash to prevent him from coming in the house. Then I put a little pressure on his behind or I take his back legs and put them under him. Then I hold him down and say good sit. I hold him there for a few seconds. But as soon as I take my hand away he gets up.
Should I be okay with that and just let him in. Or should I keep doing it until he stays seated himself once I let go?

You seem to be trying to do 2 things at once:

1. Teach the sit
2. Teach your pup you go through doors first.

I know I did the same thing and it makes the training more difficult for everyone. At 10 weeks it was easy to physically move my puppy out of the way going out doors. Work on the sit first and make it really fun for your pup. Mark every time his butt hits the floor with a clicker, with a "yes!", with a treat, with a toy. Do it over and over and over. You're not aiming for a lengthy sit..you're aiming for the desired behavior to "click" in your dog's mind. After he gets it you can then add the verbal command. With a solid sit you can then move on to sit at the door.

This is what worked for me.

I found Marie's method (move hand with treat from in front of the nose to over the head) was easier for me to do. I also liked the fact that my pup was doing the work...I wasn't making him do it.

well should I not let him through the door until he STAYS seated on his own after I let go of his behind? Or is holding him there for a sec and telling him "good sit" okay even though he's getting up right when I let go?

I am teaching him to sit just in general not just at the door and that is coming along well but it's just at the door before and after potty.

My honest answer is I'm not sure. I don't want to tell you the wrong thing and screw up your training...just wanted to share what I did with my pup. If I'm completely off base someone will show up and tell you the right thing to do.

Ed says in his videos that dog training isn't rocket science but there were (and are) many days when it feels that way to me...LOL

I think for us, it was to reward Brenna at the exact moment she did what we wanted her to do...even if only for a couple of seconds. When she didn't do it we didn't scold, just said a calm "no" and then got her to sit again and immediately went crazy with praises and a treat.

She got it nearly perfect after the first couple of times.

Sitting at the door was accomplished after we got the "sit" to work correctly. Now she'll do that easily, as well.

I think you should definitely get the "sit" good and tight before trying to add the pressure of sitting at an open door.

JMO...just make it fun and be consistent.

How about if I do both? Think that will hurt the training any?

I will definately concentrate on sit not at the door with treats. for sure!

Lovella. Your dog is very young. It's ok to teach him to sit, just don't expect much. As soon as he sees or smells something he thinks is more interesting than you, or the treats, he will stop paying attention.

You have many questions, none of them dumb, but all of them have been asked before and are answered in the Basic Obedience DVD. I can guarantee you... you won't regret buying this DVD, or I will buy it from you!

You really need to learn how to use markers before you teach your dog any tricks. It will make things easier for all of you.

Before teaching him to sit, you need to 'teach' him that every time you say your marker (either 'yes' or a clicker, or any other marker) he will be given a treat. It has to be a treat he likes, otherwise there is no point. Take some time to figure out which treat he likes best, there is no rush in teaching a dog how to sit.

After the marker is established (a couple of days of treating him for no reason at all, just saying 'yes' and treating him after) you can start teaching him some tricks.

For sit, grab a treat in your hand and kind of raise it over his nose. Most dogs will instinctively put their but down on the floor. The instant that butt touches the floor (without saying sit, at least not yet) you mark ('yes') and wait 1 second and then treat. Do this until your dog is offering the sit without much effort (you still haven't given him the verbal command), then start giving the verbal command at the same time you put the treat over his nose. As soon as the butt touches the floor, mark and reward.

A well taught sit shouldn't require you to push a dogs butt down, at least not with most dogs.

i know I need to get the dvd and once i have money I will its just i've spent so much already i'm unfortunately broke at the moment.

Is there a free article about training with markers?

 Quote: lovella lagdaan

i know I need to get the dvd and once i have money I will its just i've spent so much already i'm unfortunately broke at the moment.

Is there a free article about training with markers?

http://www.leerburg.com/markers.htm

And timing is all!

The marker ("yes" or a clicker or whatever) is given instantly; that tells the dog EXACTLY what s/he was doing that earned the marker.

This is after you have given value to the marker by teaching that the marker means a treat is coming.

P.S. I would print out that whole article (note that there are several sections) to have handy.

And I'd for sure save up for the #302 video; it's extremely helpful, and it covers living with a dog along with the basic ob.