Dog Obedience Training for the Sit Command
Teaching the dog sit command is one of the most basic and easiest commands to teach. Often this command is mastered in no time at all. In fact many dogs that have not experienced full obedience training are often trained to do this basic command. The sit command will help you control your dog in situations when they tend to jump on visitors, run outside when the door opens or try to jump out of the car.
Once this command is mastered it will create a foundation for learning other commands. Mastering any command will create confidence in you dog and provides you an opportunity to praise the dog when they perform an action correctly.
Rules To Remember When Training Your Dog To Sit
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Training should be short, especially with puppies. No more than 15 minutes then stop and play with your dog.
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Be clear and concise with your dog. When asking them to perform an action use the same command cues and gestures.
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Sit command can be used in most day to day situations. Practice before they eat, before walks, or other daily routine events.
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Always praise the right action and repeat the commands as often as possible.
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Do not start training in a distracting environment so that the dog can not concentrate on you.
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Over time you want to phase out the food rewards and praise with love. Work on slowly eliminating their treats as they perform the actions correctly.
Three Techniques for Training the Dog Sit Command
The three following techniques work. Chose the one that would work best for you and stick with it for a period of time. Remember not to confuse the dog by being inconsistent.
1 - Puppies tend to learn very quickly and this technique will work better with younger dogs. While watching your puppy, if the dog looks like they are about to site down say "sit". Time this so that you are saying the cue word as the puppy is just about to hit the floor. When they do sit you must quickly praise the dog. This will take some timing on your part but after a few times your dog will start to build an association with the word sit and the action. At that point you can start to practice with the dog sitting on purpose.
2 - This technique will work with all ages of dogs. Using an organic dog treat in one hand, hold it at nose level and slowly begin working your hand up and over top of the dogs head. The dogs natural instinct will be to sit back to help align their spine and keep the treat in view. If the dog jumps up or walks backwards you moved your hand to far behind the dog's head. This will take some practice on your end but once successful this will force the dog to sit. Once they sit use the cue word "sit" in correlation with the action. Praise the dog and reward them with the treat when done correctly.
3 - The last training method is a little more physical. This is often done with a leash to prevent the dog from lying down. First stand beside your dog then raise the leash in the air with one hand while firmly pressing down on the hind quarters with the other. Your dog will eventually sit down. Time the cue word "sit" with the actions and once completed successfully, praise and reward them. Do not force your dog too hard. Let the dog figure it out on their own. |
Out of the three methods outlined above, one should work for you. Try them all but space each out over a few days of trial and error. Once you have successfully taught the command, begin having other people practice with the dog. In no time at all your dog will learn how to sit.
Most Common Dog Obedience Commands
Click on each of the following commands for detail training on each one.
