Teaching a poodle to, 'Sit!'

[GeorgianMumto5]

How does that work, then? The dc and I read up on how to teach a puppy to sit and the advice was to hold a treat and move it up and forwards a little. As the dog's head follows the treat, their bottom goes down and you reward them. I remember this working with the previous dog (a terrier) so we were all ready to go and...Georgianpup's bum doesn't go down, he stands and walks on his hind legs, like the little circus performer he is. It's very funny, but we possibly need a new approach! Any advice?

[GeorgianMumto5]

He's not actually a circus performer! I just mean walking on their hind legs is a bit of a stereotypical poodle circus trick.

[TotallyBursar]

clever pup.

Current spaniel did this. You can try luring lower down, he is interested in the treat and reaching up to get it. Moving your lure closer to his head so sitting isn't moving him further away from what he wants can help.
Or if he is a determined backwards scooter sometimes it can be quicker to engineer a situation where he will sit on his own and click/treat & introduce the command that way.
If you are on the ground he will be more likely to stay low and offer sits and downs than being stood above him with something he wants which he will try to get by going up.
Working on stopping mugging can be key to breaking attention on the treat and getting attention on you.
Dimpup was easier to sort than cleverpup - too sharp for his own good!

[poachedeggs]

You can clicker train this one easily without luring if you are patient. :)

[Whoknowswhocares]

Your treat sounds too high. Try again but with the treat in your fingers actually touching his nose. As you move it up and back, keep it touching him.

[GeorgianMumto5]

Thank you. We don't have a clicker but dd (10) assures me we need one. Off to get some pet supplies in a moment so will get one then. Before I go, though, I'll test him on the 'by his nose' method.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

With my poodle cross I have found that to train sit, down, stand the treat does have to be on the nose otherwise the circus dog appears.
Now he is three years old he is actively trained in circus dog antics, but again the treat still needs to remain close to the nose to keep some legs on the ground.

[AliceinSlumberland]

To be honest this sounds typical poodle - often don't like sitting down on the floor. Would much rather have someone's knee.

[GeorgianMumto5]

Alice how very true! He's on my lap right now.

Bought a clicker todaytoday, armed Dd with it, tried the 'treat on the nose' thing and it worked! As an added bonus, it was hilarious.

Thank you!