Training your dog to sit

Dogs — By Mario Monk on July 6, 2010 9:23 pm

dog is training to sit A command “”sit” is one of the easiest in dog training. Sitting is very natural and comfortable state dogs. However, if your dog sits after coming to you, it does not mean he understands relation between command and the action.

Here’s a step by step instructions what you might try if you experience problems training your dog to “sit” or you think that it is not working quite right:

Stand in front of your dog so you are face to face with him. You may also try to stand the way he is by your side. However, in beginning I would suggest standing in front of him because this way it is easier to maintain eye contact with your dog.
Show a treat to your dog. Hold it a bit higher than his eye level in front of him. High enough to be out of reach and low enough to prevent him from jumping after. Make sure your dog’s attention is on it. The more delicious the treat is, the easier it will be.
Give a command “Sit” (don’t say: “Sit down, please” or something. Command has to be short and sharp) and simultaneously move the treat towards your dog’ s face. Continue moving it over his head. If you do it right your dog will have to lean backwards and therefore…
…your dog should sit. If he doesn’t try to repeat previous steps.
Switch position from standing forward to standing by side or vice versa.
Give a command “SIT” louder and more demanding.
Switch a treat to something that is more delicious. Try to push gently on your dog’s bottom (while giving a command to sit) to encourage him.
If it’ s not yet working, take a break and repeat later.
Praise your dog and give him a treat. You have to give the treat right in the moment he sits. Wait no longer than a second. This will help your dog to understand the connection between the action and reward better. Say command again one or two times while praising. Go like “Good dog, sit, good…”. Your dog will realize that “Sit” means sit faster.
Repeat again all the steps above. Some five to ten times right now and at least once every day from now on. Okay, just kidding, but try to repeat it every time you can. Before attaching a leash for a walk, before feeding, when returning home, during a play… whenever you can. Sitting should be must-obey command no matter what. And best way to achieve it is to practice regularly and in different occasions.

Congratulations! You have taught one of most basic and easiest commands to your dog. What’s next? You might try to go advanced and teach him to remain sitting if you give a command, walk away and earthquake starts. Why would anyone need a dog that sits obediently during earthquake? I don’t know but you sure might try it.
Photo by: Plutor.