If you have an active and playful dog that always seems to be jumping up on visitors or guests, it may be time to teach your dog to sit. Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most important dog training techniques you can teach him. It is a well-known fact that dogs are supposed to wait for their owners, but they often jump right in without waiting. When they see you offering something to them, they usually want to take it, but they shouldn’t feel forced. With the right training technique, you can teach your dog to always sit when you give him the opportunity.
Teaching your dog a command like “sit” is easier than you think. You don’t even need a reward! Many dogs can catch on quickly to this basic behavior, and other dogs with little mobility issues can learn how to sit with little to no reward at all! All it takes is the right training technique.
Some dog training experts suggest that you use a leash while sitting to train your dog. Others prefer not to use a leash at all because it could make the dog nervous and make him less likely to sit. If you decide to use a leash, however, try not to pull on the leash too hard, because this will teach your dog that he does not get a reward if he pulls. Because so many dogs pull when they see another dog, it is better to have his attention focused on you rather than on the other dog.
Another easy dog training technique is to use a luring device. Using a luring device such as a toy, lure, or a clicker can teach your dog to sit in just a few steps. To begin, hold the lure between your two hands, about four feet apart. With your dominant hand, present your hand gesture in a beckoning fashion toward the dog. Your other hand should be empty, but be ready to lure your dog into the sitting position.
Praise your dog consistently while he is sitting, and after a few sessions, begin to increase the length of your training session. Do not make the sessions too short because your dog might become frustrated and lose focus. Ideally, you want to take your dog out for a short walk during each training session so that you can reinforce the behavior.
If the training sessions are becoming extremely tedious, you may want to consider using a distractor. A distractor can be anything that will keep your dog from paying attention to the training process. Distractors are usually harmless and will help to insure that distractions do not interrupt your training session. Some common distractions include other dogs, loud music, TV, and street noise. As long as you stay within the guidelines of the training program outlined above, your dog should remain focused during training sessions.
Once your dog has demonstrated the sitting motion on command, you can then begin the reward process. A great way to motivate your dog is to give him a treat just for sitting. As your dog starts to understand what you want, you can then begin to use treats to enhance the sitting behavior. Be sure to only use treats when your dog is sitting on command. Otherwise, your dog will confuse the command with the reward, which is just what you do not want.
Training your dog for anything can be a challenge, especially with training dogs for sit and stay. However, by following the simple steps outlined above, you can help keep your puppy or dog focused and motivated through any training program. Although some dogs may not respond to the sit or stay method at first, it is important to stick with the program until your dog has successfully learned the command. This method not only helps keep your puppy or dog focused, but it also teaches the dog what you expect from him.
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