The sit command is relatively easy to teach a dog, but you can take the sit command to greater heights by using it as the base function for your dog to be obedient in all areas. Some owners are content with the dog sitting after being told a few times, but in fact your dog can sit on command and take the sit position in a number of circumstances, and even without a command.
Starting to train a dog to sit
If you have a puppy or a dog that has just never been taught to sit, then do not worry because it is really easy to get the ball rolling. A good starting tactic is to put your pooch’s favourite treat in your hand and close it into a fist. Hold your hand just above the dog’s nose. As the dog begins to move to sniff your hand, move it slightly up and away, when you do this the dog will shift its weight backwards. If you continue to do this until you find the right spot above the nose you will soon have a sitting dog.
Once you get the first sit, open your hand and let the dog gobble the delicious treat while you can praise him heartily. Repeat this process until the dog starts to become more fluent in the action and then start adding the “sit!” command until you no longer have to use your hand and can just use the command. Remember to always reward the dog when it does well.
Reinforcing the sit command for your dog
Now you want to make your dog sit at the instant you make the command and not have to repeat yourself until it decides to listen. Again take your dog’s favourite treat in your hand, but this time you will not have to get close to the pooch, as long as he/she is in the room. Say in a firm (but not aggressive) command “here dog, sit!” if the dog listens to your command then reward it with the treat and again give it praise. If the dog doesn’t sit you should not repeat the command, which is a common mistake, instead simply do nothing, ignore the dog and begin to walk away.
Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell so your four legged friend knows that you have that treat in your hand, and although it may take some time, he will eventually come looking around you for that treat. When the dog does arrive repeat the previous command “here dog, sit!” and if it sits give the reward. If it refuses to sit again then repeat the action of ignoring and walking off, and if the dog continues to disobey leave for 15 minutes before beginning the whole process again.
You may have to repeat this 10-15 times a day, however many dogs tend to get the picture pretty quickly and in no time at all you will have a well behaved dog that responded quickly to your dog sit command. When the dog improves you can start removing the treat as a reward and just rely on the verbal command, but be sure to use your words of praise as the reward.
If your newly obedient dog is not being its usual self then it could have that classic dog ailment; yes I am talking about worms.
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