puppies/conformation and sit

**csblabmom** · 07-01-2011, 02:16 PM

Hi everyone.
We have 2 new pups that the breeder asked us to potentially show depending on how they develop. She doesn't teach her dogs to sit so they won't in the ring. I'm curious if anyone has had success in using the sit command & shown their labs, and if so, what is the best way to do it.

:-)

**Dani** · 07-01-2011, 02:33 PM

Here's a dumb question to start this out...have you shown before? How often does the breeder show. I don't know of any show breeder who would send two puppies to the same home at the same time. Why didn't the breeder keep them themselves if they were show quality?

But to answer your question, yes. I've taught dogs to sit and they are still successful in the ring. Stand is a command that you need to teach for the ring.

**csblabmom** · 07-01-2011, 02:48 PM

Thank you!
Yes, I've shown before, but it was about 20 years ago and Weims. (and I was young and not very consistent in my training, so I wasn't very good at it-which is why I'm asking for advice :-) )
She was originally going to keep 1 of the 2, but after meeting us, getting to know us and the labs we already own, she agreed to let us co-own both.

Even if they don't develop into show dogs, I think training them for it will be good for all of us (& fun)
Would you advise not using treats to train sit- only for stand? That's what I was planning to try.
I appreciate any input you have.

**Tanya** · 07-01-2011, 07:00 PM

not in conformation but going to throw this out there:

I think the issue with "sit" is it become a defaul command. most owners will ALWAYS ask for a sit. because i is easy and the dog knows it. Often dogs learn to sit before you ask them to as sit means good things come.

So in your situation I would teach it but use it seldomly. find another default behavior to go to when you want them to do something. don't reward random sits, only those you specifically ask for (and ask for them less often as compared to other commands) and use the command for stand more often.

**LuvBrown** · 07-02-2011, 08:32 PM

I don't know many reputable breeders that put two pups in a home. Even those that have dog experience.

I would advise finding a handling class so you can work with a trainer and see what to do instead of getting advice about this on a board. Or work with your breeder. If they were willing to co-own with you, they should be willing to help you train the 2 puppies.

**Henery&Ollie's mom** · 07-02-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by csblabmom

Hi everyone.
We have 2 new pups that the breeder asked us to potentially show depending on how they develop. She doesn't teach her dogs to sit so they won't in the ring. I'm curious if anyone has had success in using the sit command & shown their labs, and if so, what is the best way to do it.

:-)

Yes, you can teach your puppies to sit, and stand and they will know the difference.

My younger boy, Ollie, has gone through both levels of competitive puppy obedience class as well as Novice obedience, and I am currently showing him in conformation. He knows both sit and stand and when he's supposed to do what.

I'm pretty sure that sit and stand (and stay) were the first commands that he learned, followed by the rest. I trained everything with treats and a clicker with him.

Don't worry, your puppies will learn the difference as well. Good luck!