How to train your dog to sit

As soon as the puppy masters the first commands, the owner gets more opportunities to control his behavior. For example, the “sit” command ensures that the dog is in a calm position for the necessary time so that the owner can put a collar or harness on it, clean its eyes and ears, and comb out the coat. Also, this command helps to develop endurance in a pet and stop its unwanted behavior.

In general, this command is quite simple, pets quickly master it. You can start training immediately after the puppy remembers his nickname. 

Method 1: How to Teach Your Puppy the Sit Command

You need to start training in a calm environment where there are no other animals or strangers. You should take the dog treat in one hand and show it to the puppy. As soon as he is interested in the treat, you must clearly say: “Sit!”, And then move your hand so that the tasty reward is above the pet’s head and slightly behind. The puppy will tilt its head back and sit down to make it easier to look at the treat. You need to immediately give him a treat, say: “sit” – and caress him. While he is sitting, you can once again encourage him with a tasty piece and stroke him by repeating this phrase.

The puppy should not stand up on its hind legs. You should give him a treat only when he is sitting, that is, when the command is completed.

Method 2: How to Train Your Dog to Sit

This scheme works more effectively for older animals that are not as interested in receiving a tasty reward, as well as for stubborn pets with a difficult character.

You need to stand to the right of the dog and hold it by the leash near the collar with your right hand. Then you should say: “Sit”, and then press the pet on the back of the body, while pulling the leash with your right hand. As a result, the dog should sit down. You need to say: “sit”, reward the dog with something tasty and stroke it with your left hand. Perhaps the pet will try to get up, in which case you should repeat the “sit” command and perform the necessary actions again. It is important to pet your dog every time and reward him with treats. After some time, it will start executing this command without any additional effort.

Useful Tips

1. Start training in a calm and familiar environment, and then gradually complicate: the dog must learn to follow the command on the street, in unfamiliar places, in the presence of strangers and other animals.
2. Say the command once, clearly, without unnecessary repetitions. If you have to say it again, you need to change the intonation to a more impressive one and supplement it with active actions. 
3. Do not change team uniforms. You cannot say “sit down” or “let’s sit down” instead of the correct command “sit”.
4. The dog must learn to perceive the voice command, and not the secondary actions of the owner.
5. You should strive to ensure that the pet sits down after the first command.
6. Do not forget about the reward: give the animal a treat and stroke it – but only after the correct execution of the command.
7. The dog must take the treat in a sitting position.
8. Gradually reduce the number of rewards: you can give them once or twice, and then even less often.
9. The skill is considered mastered if the dog sits down on the first command and maintains this position for some time.

Learn more about training in our step-by-step instructions for teaching commands, as well as in the article with nine basic commands for a puppy.

See also:

• Obedience Training a Puppy: How to Succeed
• How to teach your dog to understand words and commands
• How to teach a dog to give a paw