As a trainer, there are some things that I hear all the time and some basic misunderstandings with clients between their view of things and mine. (And I inevitably get myself in trouble becasue of it)
My dog “knows it” is one that always trips me up. When I hear that, I chuckle to myself because I know we have different definitions of “know”.
When someone asks you to sit down, there is no question what is expected. You look for a suitable place to sit, bend your waist and knees and sit. It doesn’t matter what’s happening around you or what the environment is.
When you ask your dog to sit, however, it should be the same but many times isn’t. Is it a new place, is the surface different, or most of the time what is the environment. Is it not home? Is it exciting? Are there a ton of distractions? if you dog doesn’t sit in these types of situations, I propose that he doesn’t “know” what sit means.
You also have the command itself. Do you step into your dog to get him to sit? Do you bob your head to get him do go down? Do you need to use signals at all? Do you have to have a treat in your hand? All of these indicate that your dog is not completely “sit” trained and therefore, in my definition, doesn’t completely “know” what it is.
All that needs to happen now is to lose the treat, and make sure your dog knows how to respond in any environment with either voice or hand signals alone. If they comply on the first time. Congratulations. . . .Your dog truly KNOWs the command.
