Elaine's question on positioning sit while doing therapy work to greet patients

[Sandra Griffith]

You might try hand targeting.  I clicker train (a click is given at the moment that the dog is doing what you want, followed by a treat).  If your dog is not familiar with the clicker then "load" the clicker first: click followed with a treat (hopefully in about a second's time).  Keep doing this until your dog associates the clicker with a treat.  To teach your dog to hand target, place your hand right in front of your dog's nose.  When he touches it with his nose, click at the moment he touches your hand with his nose, then follow up with a treat.  Keep doing this until he gets that he is to touch your hand when you present it.  At this point you can add the "cue" or name what he is doing.  I use "touch" but it's your choice.  Present your hand, say "touch", click and treat when he has touched your hand.  Once he is good at doing this, start moving your hand about (up, down, to the side, etc.).  You can gradually add distance to this so that he has to get up to touch your hand.  Once this has been accomplished, you can position him where you want him using the "touch" cue.  When he is in position, having touched your hand in the correct spot, follow up with his sit.  I hope this was not oversimplified, but I didn't know whether you were familiar with this technique or not.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[Elaine]

This is great advice....also something I should have thought of. I do clicker train him so I am definitely familiar with this process. I wasn't looking at it as a trick though, or something that needed to be taught, looking at it this way should help us alot. Thanks

[Sandra Griffith]

I love targeting. It's a great way to move your dog without having to push and pull them around and, bonus, they get rewarded for it!!

[3pxv71whkmu4y]

She gave you wonderful information...I used that method on my Therapy Dog also...now all I have to say is touch and he turns his head where my hand is...he knows now that his treat is his friendly scratch on the head...he loves it..