training a 7 week old pup...?

Question

i'm trying to teach my golden retriever the sit command but he's not listening.. i have treats and a leash, im trying to teach him everyday.. help!

Answer 1

I'm glad that you are starting with him while he is young, it is so much better than waiting until he is grown and the pup will learn faster.

You don't need the leash at this point. Sit is easy with a young pup because they can still be a litte wobbly on they feet. Get a really good treat, something with some smell to it. You'll need to bend over or get down on your knees so you are holding the treat over the pups head just out of reach. He'll lift his head up trying to get the treat and since he is a bit off balance he will sit. Has he is sitting tell him "sit", when his butt is on the ground praise him and give him the treat. If he has good enough balance that he doesn't automatically go into a sit just gently touch him over his hips and he will sit. Again as he is sitting say "sit" and when he is in the sit praise and give him the treat.

Once he understands the sit you can teach down from the sit position by starting with the treat in front of his nose and lowering it down and slightly out. He will follow it and lower his front end. As he does this tell him "down" and when he is down praise him and give him the treat. If his butt starts to come up you can just put your hand gently on his butt to keep it down.

Remember he is just a baby so keep the lessons short and up beat. It is much better to do several short sessions than one long session.

Best of luck with your puppy.

Answer 2

Firstly, 7 weeks is a bit early to be away from it's mother (unless there was a problem that meant there was no possible way the dog could stay with its mother). Make sure he learns the basics like 'No' and 'Come' first before you try and teach him more complex commands like 'Sit' and 'Down'. When teaching the 'Sit' command hold a treat at nose level and raise your hand so the dog has to sit down to follow it. As his bum touches the floor say 'Sit' so that he associates the word with the action. Reward immediately and repeat until he masters it. My dalmatian learnt it like that in an hour. Be patient and eventually your dog will learn.

Answer 3

Lots of people are going to tell you that 7 wks is too young to train your dog.
For the record - that's bull!
I started training my Cocker puppy at 5 wks (we "rescued" her - that's why we got her so young.)
Anyway - here's how to train him to sit:

Keep the training sessions short! Only give him the command two or three times - then the training session is over. You can do this four or five times during the day if you like.
Find a treat that he REALLY likes - that he will perform for. Hot dogs chopped into tiny pieces work GREAT. Dogs LOVE them.
In order to get puppy to sit - hold his collar in one hand & place your other hand on his hips.
Then gently press in on each side of his hips with your fingers while gently pressing his back end down toward the ground.
Say "Sit!" in a bright, yet direct voice.
When he sits (which he will if you are gently "squeezing" inward with your fingers while gently pressing down) give him a treat & say "Good BOY!!!!!"
Do this four or five times, then say "OK!" to let him know that the lesson is over. Repeat this process several times during the day & he will be sitting on command within a week.
The REAL trick is find a treat that he absolutely loves. Something better than the usual packaged doggie treats you can buy at the store.

Answer 4

No leash needed. Just place that treat right at the end of his nose and gently move your hand up just a little bit and back over his head. Keep the hand close close close cuz if you don't he will move his whole body. As you push your hand over his head he will automatically sit. Make sure you say, HIs name and the command sit. Good luck.

Answer 5

teaching a puppy to sit is one of the easiest commands ever. what you need to do is hold the treat up high so that your pup puts himself in a "sit" position and verbally tell him to sit. make sure you praise him every time he does it and trust me, in 2 weeks he'll do it without treats. good luck!

Answer 6

What are you doing with a 7 week old puppy? You are going to have major problems unless that puppy goes back to his litter. Puppies who are separated from their litters prematurely have huge issues with aggression towards other dogs and people. Please return the puppy to his mother.

Answer 7

here are valuable websites for that purpose

http://www.netpets.org/dogs/reference/training/pupobed.html
http://www.perfectpaws.com/pup17.html
http://www.puppywishes.com/
http://www.utahhumane.org/Education/Dogs/HouseTrainingPuppies/tabid/443/Default.aspx