TRAINING THE RECALL AND SIT

1. If you are using food and your dog is fed more than once a day, then split each of each of his meals into four or five equal portions. If you are feeding one meal per day then divide this into 10 equal parts.
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2. At each meal time, have a helper hold your dog a short distance away. Hold out the food bowl with one portion in it and call your dog by using its name followed by the command "COME". As soon as your command is given, the helper should release the dog.
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3. As the dog approaches take a pace or two backwards to encourage him to come in close. Raise the food bowl above his head and give his name followed by the command "SIT" assisting him into this position  using your free hand if necessary. as soon as he is sitting close and facing you praise lavishly and then place the bowl on the floor and allow him to eat. Repeat as many times as you have portions of food over a ten to fifteen minute period.
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4. You can slowly progress by having your assistant move further away, eventually going out of sight.
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5. When you have the response that you require, ask the helper to distract the dog by talking and fussing him when you call him for his meal.
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6. As soon as you are happy that your dog will come to you for his food even whilst being distracted, then progress to training away from the house.
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7. For safety attach a 15 metre length of cord to your dogs collar. This should trail freely and only be used to regain control if the dog wanders away. You should now repeat the recall training from stage one. Dispense with the line only when you are confident that your dog will always respond to your commands to "COME" and "SIT" regardless of distraction.
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8. You can now begin to dispense with your dog's food as a reward, replacing it with the occasional titbit. Remember that if praise has been given throughout training you may be able to dispense with titbits completely.
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9. The same sequence of training can be applied using a favourite toy instead of food. the advantage of this is that the toy can always be carried in your pocket during exercise and used at any time to reward your dog for obeying the "COME" and "SIT" commands.

John.