Teaching your dog to sit on command is one of the simplest and rewarding parts of first training your new dog.
However, it isn’t always so simple – and there are times when your dog may refuse to listen to you.
This article will cover all of this, and more.
Let’s get started:
At first, you should practice this with your puppy or dog on his leash at first, to make sure you’re in control at all times. It’s easier to start in this way.
While you’re facing your dog: Move away from him, keeping the leash in your left hand, and a food treat in your right hand. As you command your puppy to “come” to you, show him that you have a food reward waiting for him in your other hand. It is important to be calm, and not to excite the puppy during this exercise (your puppy may get overexcited at the thought of a food reward).
When your puppy reaches you, slowly move your right hand up and over its head. Your puppy will naturally sit down (so he can keep his eyes on the food).
Give him the command “Sit” when you see your dog begin to bend his hind legs. By making sure you say the command while he’s actually in the motion of sitting, he will associate the verbal command with the action he’s performing.
Reinforce the “Sit” command while standing in front, and also from the side of your puppy. At first, reward each response with verbal praise and food treats. Then gradually reduce the amount of food rewards until all he needs is verbal praise.
If your dog refuses to sit despite him knowing he may get a food reward, kneel down and hold his collar with your right hand, and tuck his hindquarters under with your left.
Give the command “Sit” when you do this, and then reward your dog with praise. This will give your dog chance to associate the sitting action with the verbal command. He will then understand what you want him to do when you say “Sit”.
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