Tips for sit!

[applegate]

Hi,
I have a 5 month old springer spaniel who is lovely. Training is coming on well, he picks things up really quickly and is generally pretty reliable and loves learning things/training. However in the past month he has started to refuse to sit outside if the ground is wet/damp which it is most of the time. He knows exactly what you are asking and is very happy to do it inside instantly and will wait etc... he will eventually hover outside, without letting his bottom touch the ground, if you wait long enough but this generally takes a good few minutes which seems ridiculous as he is more than happy to splash in puddles and has even been in a little pond this morning (more by accident but he seemed to enjoy it once he had got over the surprise!). I feel that I am repeating the command over and over and he is blatantly ignoring me.......... Any tips or advice would be welcome!

[PurpleFrog]

Are you using treats?

[applegate]

Yes using treats and he has until the past month done it perfectly and continues to do so inside and sometimes will on the pavement but will not on grass or anything damp/cold ........

[groovejet]

Flynn went through this stage at about the same sort of age, usually more with his lie downs though and not sits, haven't really got major tips he just grew out of it.

I generally only asked a couple of times if I sensed he really wasn't going to do it I would move onto another command that I knew he would do. Not sure if it was the right way or not but I didn't want to keep on repeating the same command for him to ignore.

He just got less fussy after a while, although he still has his moments, such as at home he will move over to the rug on a lie down command as it is more preferable to the laminate.

[applegate]

Ah okay thanks. I will try and keep asking him but if he doesn't do it outside after a couple of requests then switch to something that I know he will do, although I guess keep doing it frequently inside to enforce the command.
It's just so frustrating as I feel he has taken a backward step.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Why does he need to sit on wet ground? It's cold and uncomfortable. I love swimming and paddling in the sea, but I wouldn't like to sit on cold, wet floor

Don't keep repeating commands, the dog will learn to ignore the cue totally. Say it once, then move on if the dog does not respond.

If it's really important for him sit on wet ground, go back to using a lure when needed to reinforce the training. It might just be that the dog doesn't understand that sit still means sit when the floor is wet, they can be odd about these things sometimes.

[applegate]

Thank you, I completely agree I wouldn't want to sit on it either but I was trying to incorporate a bit of training into daily walks so maybe the odd sit and wait or sitting at curbs if we cross the road etc, sometimes it may be in a field, sometimes on the road or path. It is quite rural around here and generally we are walking off road but i have taken on board what you have said and yes damp grass probably doesn't feel very pleasant! I will go back to basics and try and only ask when it's somewhere dry, thanks so much for the comments

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Including training in a walk is a great idea, but it doesn't need to be sit, try training "look dog" (start at home, with no distractions) or wait or off lead you could try fetch, drop, give, away etc.

Kikopup is excellent for ideas and tips.

[YouveCatToBeKittenMe]

A springer spaniel who won't sit in the wet??
I suspect he is taking the piss tbh
I have a springer and they can be quite stubborn. They have a 'I don't want to, gonna make me? ' attitude most of the time sometimes
From when I very first started training I was taught to ask once then insist they do it, but I think you're right and that you need to go back to basics and get him doing it quickly, 100% of the time indoors.
My springer would sit on flaming coals if I had a ball in my hand , although he might hover as he would be anticipating catching it!

[LoveDogs]

Our 3 year old cocker x has just starting to do this, she's fine walking to the park off the lead, she'll sit straight away, but if she's on the lead she won't sit, it's very strange she's so much better off the lead than she is on the lead.
Unfortunately treats don't work at all with our girl, you could dangle a whole chicken under her nose and she wouldn't be interested she loves her walks!

[applegate]

I did wonder if some of it was stubbornness, when he is refusing he is generally looking at something else and avoiding eye contact, normally he is so keen to learn that he can't take his eyes off me! I have been practising this evening and can easily do it from another room inside pretty instantly so he definitely understands so could be either stubbornness or a general dislike of the weather! Who knows but I will keep trying ..

[CalamityKate]

Lol my dogs been exactly the same lately!! I've just stopped asking for sits or instant downs when it's wet. A) because I sympathise and B) Because I like to set her up to succeed. We've been practising stand stays instead.

[Labradorwhisperer]

With my pup, if you gently tilt his head up, his natural reaction is to sit... You could try that? It may be that your pup is refusing to do it properly as a bit of a power game? I know the my (lovely) wee beastie likes to try it on a lot at the moment!

[mrsjay]

change the sit to wait( or whatever command you use for stop) when you are out side I wouldnt want a wet cold bum would you my dog does a sort of hover if it is cold or wet but He will wait then do a walk on or lets go .