Confusion about direct/indirect objects in lesson examples

Question

I'm very confused by the explanation regarding the use of indirect and direct object pronouns with hacer + infinitive. The lesson says that indirect object pronouns are used with intransitive verbs, but shows direct object pronouns (lo) with the intransitive verb "arrodillarse". The lesson then says that direct object pronouns are used with transitive verbs, but then shows indirect object pronouns (les) with the transitive verb "pedir (pardón)". Is this a mistake, or am I misunderstanding?

I'm also confused by the difference between the example in the lesson and the example sentence further below:

The lesson teaches:
Les ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor"
He made them apologise to the teacher.

But the examples sentences below show:

Los ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.He made them apologise to the teacher.
I am completely confused :(

Accepted Answer

Hola J
That bit in the lesson explaining about the use of direct or indirect object pronouns depending on whether we are using a transitive or intransitive verb is showing the example:
Les ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.He made them apologise to the teacher. 
"pedir perdón": transitive verb with a direct object: perdón
So, in this case, the verb "pedir" is showing a direct object (transitive verb): perdón
Therefore we tend to use an indirect object pronoun to indicate the person/people affected by this action: "les"
Then we show another example that is using an intransitive verb "arrodillarse" - in which case the person/people affected by the action tends to be a direct object pronoun: "lo"
I can't see any example in the lesson showing the opposite to this theory. There is no example such as: 
Los ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.
He made them apologise to the teacher.
Inma

Answer

Hola J, Edwin and Larry
Apologies for not having spotted this misprint before. Indeed, the explanatory text is saying the opposite to what the examples show. I've corrected it. So, just to be clear, if the verb already has a direct object (pedir perdón), then the tendency is to use an indirect object pronoun to indicate the person (le pedí perdón); if the verb is intransitive (arrodillarse), then the tendency is to use a direct object pronoun to indicate the person (lo hizo arrodillarse).
I hope it is now clear for everyone. 
Saludos
Inma

Answer

Inma, I had the same problem that J did. I understand the "clarification" that you sent. Thank you for that. Now, I do believe J may be correct that are either errors--or maybe our misinterpretations-- in the lesson that lead to the confusion.

First, in the lesson section 2 on hacer + infinitive, the second paragraph contains:

Is this trying to say that these are common mistakes that are made?

Because, it looks like these are backwards. When the verb is intransitive, we should use direct object pronouns (not indirect) and when the verb is transitive, we should use indirect (not direct).

Do I have this right?

Next, at the bottom of the lesson, we have

Examples and Resources.

Look at examples:

#6 Les ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor. AND

#11 Los ha hecho pedir perdón al profesor.

So, example 11 should be eliminated.

Do I have that part right, too?

I love this website and all the effort you put into helping us learn this beautiful language.