View Full Version : Hard/cold floors = no sit or down
Training obstacle #1 with Zaphod.
He will sit/down on a blanket, on the carpet, and on the soft sand outside. But he is very reluctant to sit on concrete, and flat out refuses to lie down on it. Both commands are fairly reliable (though he's only been with me for 2 days and obviously isn't even close to perfect) and I've been unable to think of a way to get him to lie down on surfaces he doesn't like.
suggestions?
Renee750il
01-10-2008, 10:42 PM
Sounds like you need to carry a security blanket around for him, lol . . . You knew he wasn't stupid ;) After all, he's just escaped a life of cold, hard surfaces and he's probably very chary of anything that reminds him of those days.
darkchild16
01-10-2008, 10:42 PM
laying down no clue but the sitting I know Walker is reluctant because he slides on hard floors his little butt slowly moves out from under him. so he takes his time unless hes against a wall.
RedHotDobe
01-10-2008, 10:50 PM
Rumor won't sit or down on wet grass, won't down on concrete/asphalt, and won't usually down on any other rough or cold surface. I have no suggestions. I haven't found anything that has been capable of convincing her to sacrifice her comfort for my "crazy" obedience desires. Although Renee's suggestion of carrying a blanket around would probably do the trick... lol.
Hillside
01-10-2008, 10:52 PM
Maybe wait until he's got some padding on him? It can't be too comfortable for him with his negative body fat to lay his bones down.
On the other hand, when I was doing classes at my former big box petstore, I had a Boston in class that was a total pain to lure into any position. With all the difficulty I had luring her into a sit, I just figured it was the same issue when I was trying to get her into a down. Until MY butt started getting cold. I grabbed a spare kennel mat and before I could settle myself back down on it, she was doing her own puppy push ups waiting for her treat.
I'm pretty sure it's not comfy for him to down on concrete, Hillside, but I can't understand the reluctance to sit either. I would think at first that it's cold on the "boys" but he already sits with his butt a few inches off the floor.
Ah well, as long as he'll stand and stay, I don't particularly *need* him to sit or down on certain surfaces. It also takes a lot more effort for Zaphod to sit or down because of the length of his legs, as opposed to the BCs who can do it in a snap.
darkchild16
01-11-2008, 12:03 AM
Again :P:P
I know Walker and Patches are reluctant because they slides on hard floors their little butts slowly moves out from under them. so they take their time unless their against a wall.
Maybe his back end is a little stiff or something? I think I might wait and see how he does as he gets healthier.
corgipower
01-11-2008, 11:04 AM
Ares won't sit or down on cold surfaces either. I have no doubt it makes him hurt. I no longer ask him to. If I need a stay on a cold surface, I use a stand stay.
lizzybeth727
01-11-2008, 06:06 PM
(though he's only been with me for 2 days and obviously isn't even close to perfect)
It's only been two days??? Along with all the other suggestions, it could also be that he just needs more time to figure out who you are and what you're asking of him.
This is true, but he does understand the behaviors and does them nicely. Just doesn't think the cues apply when it's concrete I'm asking him to sit on. Hillside is right, he's very thin and it's not comfortable at all for him to rest his bones on hard surfaces and cold, hard surfaces are even worse (though it's not particularly cold here in AZ, the floors get cool).
Gempress
01-12-2008, 09:18 AM
Training obstacle #1 with Zaphod.
He will sit/down on a blanket, on the carpet, and on the soft sand outside. But he is very reluctant to sit on concrete, and flat out refuses to lie down on it. Both commands are fairly reliable (though he's only been with me for 2 days and obviously isn't even close to perfect) and I've been unable to think of a way to get him to lie down on surfaces he doesn't like.
suggestions?
I would wait until he builds up some more padding. I had the EXACT same problem with Zeus when I first got him, and he was emaciated. It can't be comfortable with all those bones. Wait until you see him voluntarily sit on hard surfaces first. I'm sure he'd probably do it if you insisted, but I'd be worried that it would undermine his confidence in you (and training) if you made him follow uncomfortable commands.