Teaching your dog how to sit could be one of the most important dog training tips you could give them. Not only is it rewarding when they do it on command, but it also teaches them basic manners. Sit dogs have a natural tendency to follow your commands, which can make walking their dogs much more pleasant for both of you. Dogs that jump up and down on visitors or who otherwise act excited around people are not displaying the proper manners that you want your dog to learn. Your dog needs to understand that when you say “sit” and they move their butt to point, they need to move their butt in the proper direction with your command. This will teach them to sit calmly and efficiently, regardless of whether or not they have to chase down someone, or even if they are very energetic and jumping all over the place!
Sit dogs usually respond well to short training sessions. The length of these sessions should not exceed fifteen minutes, since this is the maximum amount of time your dog can be distracted in order to train them. Puppies as young as 6 weeks old can easily catch on to the sitting behavior, and older dogs with less mobility issues can also pick up on the sitting technique, if asked.
For very high-energy or bouncy puppies and dogs, sometimes simply holding a treat near their hind end while giving the sit command will work best, as long as they are close enough to you to catch the treats. If you can’t do this, consider using an invisible or wireless dog leash instead. This way, your dog can be distracted for longer periods of time, and eventually learn how to sit quietly and reliably on your command. As long as you are consistent with your commands and your dog’s interest, he or she will eventually settle on a sitting behavior that works for you.
Older dogs with health issues should avoid the sit position, because it forces them to slouch and develop the same problems. Older dogs with arthritis, for example, should not be forced into the sit position. Instead, gently guide their paws forward, then allowing them to find a comfortable spot on your floor, like the edge, before asking them to sit. If your dog tries to jump out of the chair, ignore him at his own pace, until he learns that he is not rewarded for jumping.
One more important aspect of training your dog is to be patient and make sure you are not penalizing him for failing to learn a command. Some people may punish their dogs by putting them in the “corner,” where the dog will face his rear when you give the command to sit. If you do this, your dog will develop a negative association to the sit command, and it will be much harder for him or her to be trained the next time. Instead, gently apply pressure on your dog’s rear side while giving the sit command, until he or she looks up at you in a satisfied manner. You should repeat this exercise several times, until your dog looks directly at you with a happy face.
When your dog understands the sit command, you can start taking him or her to the kitchen, where he or she can find a comfortable spot to wait on. During the waiting time, you can gently guide your dog through the sitting position, which should not take more than 2 seconds. If your dog barks during the waiting time, simply return to the command that started the waiting period and the problem will be solved. If you see that your dog starts to bark, take him or her to the bathroom or to another quiet place in order to calm him or her down.
During training sessions, you should always ask your pet to pay attention to your commands. However, your dog may become distracted from the training sessions if he or she is distracted by other dogs or people, leaving the training sessions to go on without interruption. One way to make sure that distractions do not interrupt your sessions is to always use the same commands during training sessions. In addition, make sure to let your pet know where you want him or her to sit or down. You should also take short breaks in between training sessions.
You should gradually increase the number of steps away from your dog until he or she learns to stand one step ahead of the line. After your dog has become familiar with standing one step forward, you should slowly remove the distractions, allowing your dog to follow the command that you are using. If you teach your dog how to sit using these simple steps, you will have an obedient and loving companion who will delight you for many years to come!
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