How to teach your dog to sit:
•
Have a small piece of your dog's favorite
treat available.
•
Stand facing your dog. Hold the treat in
front of the dog's nose and move the treat up toward the top of
the dogs head, high enough that he can just barely reach it.
•
If the dog lifts his front paws off of the
ground, you're holding the treat too high. When the dog lifts
his head and shoulders to get the treat his rear end should go
down to the ground.
•
As soon as the dog is in the "sit" position,
praise him by saying "Sit. Good boy, sit." Give him a treat at
this point if you like.
•
If needed, gently touch the dog's back in
order to give him the signal that you want him to sit. Do not
push down hard on his back or rear end.
Practice, practice, practice!. It may take over 10 times before
your dog understands the sit command. When you think the dog
knows the word "Sit", try it without the treat. If he doesn't
sit, say nothing. Just try it with a treat again. Praise the dog
whenever he does what he is supposed to do.
Teach your dog to sit while by your side, or facing you, or
while you are walking him on a leash. Repeat the steps in many
different positions and places. Once your dog knows what "sit"
means, he will be happy to please you.
When you command the dog to "Sit", say it only one time. Do not
repeat it, or your dog will learn that he doesn't have to sit
the first time. If the dog doesn't sit the first time, just go
back to practicing with the treat again. Don't forget to praise
the dog whenever he is working hard!
