Teaching Your Dog the Sit Command

Taking the time to teach your dog some manners can enhance the quality of the bond you share with your four-legged friend. One of the most important commands your dog should master is “sit.” Here are some training tips to help you teach your dog this important command.

Time is a critical factor in determining how quickly your dog learns the sit command. Limit sessions to about ten minutes and let your dog’s attention span dictate when the lesson ends.
To help keep him focused on the task at hand, schedule the training to coincide with his regular feeding time. Using small treats to reinforce positive behavior is much more effective on a hungry dog. Now that you have an idea of how long a training session should last and when it is most effective, let’s examine how you will train your dog to sit. Find a quiet area away from other pets or people that may distract your dog. A fenced backyard is ideal for training sessions – remember to bring the treats! With your dog to your left and looking the same direction you are, hold the treat just in front of him. Let him smell it, but don’t let him take it yet.

Slowly move the treat up. As you move the treat above his head, his snout will edge up – naturally forcing his rump to the ground. The instant your dog’s rump touches the ground, let him have his treat. It won’t take him long to figure out the sitting position means treats – especially since he’s already hungry! Now that you have his attention, firmly say the word “sit” when you let him have his treat.

Resist the urge to press his hindquarters down to force him into a sitting position. He might interpret this as being part of the command if you repeat the action every time you tell him to sit. Also, you may need to lower your hand a bit if he is jumping up to try to take the treat.

Repeat this exercise over and over and gradually replace the treat with lots of attention and praise when he sits on command. Eventually, you won’t need the treat at all. Puppies especially need a lot of praise and practice. Keeping training sessions fun will make it much more pleasant for both of you.

By training your dog to sit to your left, it will be much easier to put a leash on him as he grows. In addition, when you tell him to sit while out for a walk, he will naturally sit further away from traffic. This is much safer for him and for you. With these pointers and your commitment to your dog’s good manners, your dog should be sitting in no time.
Remember to keep sessions fun, and both of you will look forward to this time you spend together. .