Advice Appreciated: "Sit" Command w/ Clicker Training

[Hoover's Dad]

Hello! Hoover is a miniature Jack Russell, is 15 weeks old, happy, lively and responding well to training. He is completely housebroken, and has even settled in with Crabby Cat. I'm new at clicker training and have read just about everything I can get my hands on and have watched a million training clips. I'm trying to train Hoover to sit. He's associated that Click = Doggie Treat, but that’s it. When I try and work with him (treat above the head, clicking when his bum hits the floor) he just becomes excited and barks, focused SOLELY on the anticipation of the treat, and not interested in any of the training. Things seem to be devolving into Click = Bark. Any suggestions? BTW, it isn't just the Sit Command that is a problem. It seems as though I/we're "stuck" at the Click = Treat level, and I want the training to move onto the educational level. Thanks in advance. I really appreciate reading this forum and your shared expertise.

[nick_j007]

Alkways hard to say when I'm not there to see for myself.

However, why not try doing away with the clicker for a time?

Why not try just asking him to do it...for your praise and touch? Food can sometimes get in the way, and the clicker timing needs to be spot on so that you don't inadvertently click (mark) the wrong action.

Let me know what you think!

Nick
Alpha Dog Behaviour Home page. Welcome. Dog behaviourist and dog trainer Nick Jones MCFBA.