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Writer's pictureTheWiseK-9

Sit Boy!! A guide to teaching your pup to sit

Introduction

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the first training exercises you should do with him. It's a simple command that's easy for dogs to understand and can be used in many different situations. With practice and patience, you'll soon have a well-mannered pup on your hands!

Start by getting your dog's attention.

  • Use a command word. "Sit" is the most common command word, but you can also use "stay" or even your dog's name. Choose one that is easy to say and will be easy for your dog to remember later on when he/she learns more commands.

  • Use a hand signal that lets your dog know exactly what you want them to do without saying a word (it could be something as simple as pointing at the floor).

  • If you have an extra-smart pet who has already learned how to respond well to verbal commands, try using a whistle instead of saying anything at all—this may be especially helpful if your pet has trouble hearing certain words or phrases due to deafness or some other issue with the ears! Whistling won't work for every situation though so don't get too frustrated if this method doesn't seem like it's working for long term training purposes just yet... :(

  • Be sure not overuse any one technique when teaching these new behaviors because doing so would mean creating confusion: both physically (where am I supposed go next?) and mentally (why do I need such specific instructions?).

Ask the dog to sit.

The easiest way to teach your dog the sit command is with a verbal command and a hand signal.

Here's how:

  • Ask the dog to sit by giving them a verbal cue (like “sit”) and simultaneously making sure that you are holding their collar so that they don't move forward or back. Then, use your other hand to gently push down on their hindquarters until they are in position. Once they're sitting, reward them with a treat or praise so that they know what behavior earned them such positive reinforcement!

  • Practice this exercise multiple times per day for at least 10 minutes each session, but no more than 20 minutes at once (that's enough time for anybody!). If you have more than one dog who needs training as well, keep them separated so that neither animal can learn from watching the other being trained without actually having anything happen directly next door (this will also help avoid any fights).

Wait for your dog to sit.

Now that you know the command, it's time to teach your dog what it means. Make sure you have a treat in hand and get his attention by calling his name. When he turns around, give him the treat and say "sit" as he takes it from your hand. If he does not sit down when first given this command, wait for him to do so and then give him another treat once he has been sitting for a few seconds. Do not repeat yourself too often or become frustrated if he doesn't immediately understand what you are trying to teach him—this process will take several tries before he gets it right!

If your dog still refuses to sit after being given several treats, try getting closer and repeating yourself louder until they finally respond correctly (if at all).

Use a treat as a reward for sitting

  • Use a treat as a reward for sitting

You can use any small, highly rewarding treat for this step, but be sure that it’s easy to carry around and won’t be messy or crumbly. If you have trouble finding treats that are small enough to fit in your pocket, you may want to get a mini dog treat bag from the pet store.

Give your dog a treat when he sits.

  • Give your dog a treat when he sits.

  • Be sure to give him the treat while he is sitting.

  • Make sure you are happy and excited when you give the treat.

  • Make sure you give the treat in a timely manner; don't wait until after he has gotten up from his sit before giving it to him!

Repeat the exercise several times in the same session.

Repeat the exercise several times in the same session. Don’t overdo it, though! If you push your dog too hard, he or she will get frustrated and not want to play anymore. It’s important to take breaks if you feel like your patience is wearing thin.

Repeat the exercise several times each day until you're sure your dog understands what he's supposed to do.

Once you've started the training, you'll want to repeat it several times each day. The more frequently your dog is exposed to a command, the faster he'll learn it and the longer he'll remember it.

Depending on how quickly your dog learns and what kind of memory he has, there are several ways in which you can build consistency with the sit command:

  • Some dogs take only one or two repetitions before they get the basic idea. If this is the case for yours, keep repeating until your dog understands what he's supposed to do.

  • Other dogs need more than three or four tries before they start getting comfortable with acting on their own volition when given this command by their owner. In these cases it may be necessary for owners to continue working with their pets until no further improvements are made in performance (in other words—until all hope has been lost).

If progress stalls, take a break from training sessions until another day when maybe things will go better; then try again!

When you know your dog is responding well, start to phase out the treats and use praise instead.

When you're comfortable with the basics and your dog knows what to do, start phasing out the treats. Instead of giving them a treat every time they sit, give one only every few times. Eventually you can stop giving treats altogether and when you want your dog to sit, just say "sit" or use whatever command word you've chosen.

In addition to using praise instead of food rewards, another great way to reinforce good behavior is by rewarding your dog with things like belly rubs or playtime. If you know how much your puppy loves going for walks around the neighborhood, then make sure he gets lots of exercise every day!

Continue to work on the command in different contexts, such as outside or at school.

  • Continue to work on the command in different contexts, such as outside or at school.

  • Practice with distractions. If your dog doesn't want to be distracted, then practice commands during times when he's most likely to listen after meals and before bedtime are good choices!

  • Practice with other people and animals around; this will help him learn how to respond appropriately even when he doesn't have his favorite human around.

Training takes time, but it doesn't take long before you'll see big results!

Training your dog to sit on command is a basic, but essential part of dog training. The best way to get started is with patience and practice. The process won't happen overnight, but as long as you stick with it and keep things consistent, you'll see results before too long!

Conclusion

In just ten steps, you can teach your dog to sit. The key is consistency and patience. Follow these instructions, practice at home and in different contexts, and soon enough your pooch will be sitting on command!

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