My Sit Wall

 I teach straight sits in halts by muscle memory and the clicker. The dog gains muscle memory by me ensuring that they have to sit straight. The dog gains an automatic sit in proper position by using the clicker.

I typically hear people recommend training halts against a wall. This forces the dog to sit straight. I've taken this method and tweaked it a little. I make sure my wall is something my dog will not lean against. I notice a lot of dogs leaning into the wall when they sit. Leaning interferes with getting good muscle memory of straight sits. To prevent this, I make one wall of my healing something that will move slightly if my dog leans against it. I typically use a metal exercise pen. I have them handy, and they move and rattle if my dog leans on them. You  can also use ring gates, but I find the stanchions get in the way.

I use the wall for about 1 week, back off and see what I get. I usually use it about 2 weeks consistently and then intermittently as a reminder for my green dogs.

Muscle memory is why I do not teach a halt by physically placing my dog in a sit. When you place the dog, they will automatically give some resistance against you and will not use their own muscles to get to the position you desire. Repetitive placement may work for some, but I don't recommend it.