How to teach a dog to ‘sit’
'Sit' tends to be one of the first commands we teach our dogs.
It is a very useful command, helping to get your pup to stay still when you need them to, calm them down if they are a little excited, and refocuses their attention.
This simple starting instruction is a gateway to other commands and establishes a reward-based learning.
Let's look at a great way to effectively and kindly teach your dog to sit.
The better you prepare, the better you set your pup up for success. Start in a room that has no distractions, such as toys, noise, or other people coming and going. Make sure that you have a variety of dog treats ranging from their basic kibble, dog biscuits, special treats, and their extra special yummy chicken. The tastiest food can be used to teach a new behaviour, once that behaviour is learnt, the more boring treats can be used to maintain it.
It is important when using food to train with that you take note of how much you are getting through and adjust your dog’s diet accordingly to prevent weight gain.
Step by Step
When your dog is standing in front of you, hold a treat up to their nose. This should get their attention
Once focused on the food, raise the treat upwards above their nose so it’s out of reach. They should raise their head to follow your hand (stop any jumping up). As this happens, their bottom should automatically lower to the ground and close to a sit position.
When their bottom touches the floor, reward them instantly with the treat and lots of praise. Clickers are a great aid when training as you are able to signify the exact response your dog gave that you wanted.
The more you practise the command, the more it will stick in your dog’s memory. Consistency and frequency are key when it comes to training.
To introduce a word, begin saying ‘Sit’ when practising. Repeat this so your dog associates the action with the word.
Now that your dog understands ‘sitting’ will get them tasty little treats, they should start doing it eagerly, Hold back on giving the treats for a few seconds, then slowly give more to maintain the position for longer.
It is a great idea to Introduce a command for when you want your dog to stop sitting, such as ‘Go’ or ‘Okay’. A release command. You can embed this by having them stay in the sit command, walk slowly away and reward the release command with a treat.
Dogs, like most of us, learn by repetition so practise makes perfect. Some dogs learn quicker than others. Remember to take it slow and keep it fun and rewarding. Frustration will turn a dog off from learning. Keep training sessions short and frequent.
Keep things new and exciting. Once the sit position is learnt, try running to different rooms and practising there. Play for a bit and then practise again. Take it outside when you go for a walk. A walk will have multiple distractions so will be a real test for them and very rewarding for you when they do it.
If they have learnt ‘sit’ beautifully, move onto a new commands such as lie-down, come here, or wait. And, of course, the fun ones… paw, speak, play dead!
Training keeps a dog mentally stimulated, establishes a way of communicating, and builds an incredible bond between you. It can also help your dog cope in unfamiliar environments and fearful situations. No matter what type of dog you have or plan on bringing into the family, training is vital for a healthy and happy dog.
