One of the basic commands to teach a dog is “sit.” Teaching a dog to sit on command can be done with a little patience. First of all, the one-word command itself should always be used and not variations of that command. If the dog owner sometimes says, “Sit down,” and says, “Sit,” at other times, the dog may get confused. Using the dog’s name first may help get the dog’s attention. For example, “Rover, sit.” This same protocol should be used for all basic dog commands.
Clicker training may be used, but this training can be accomplished by rewarding the correct behavior. While holding a treat, the dog owner should say the dog’s name followed by the one-word command. The dog owner may have success simply by holding the treat above the dog’s head. The dog owner should hold the treat above the dog’s nose.
The dog should not be allowed to try to take the treat from the dog owner’s hand. If the dog tries to take the treat, the dog owner should say, “No.” in a firm voice. While holding the dog treat above the dog’s nose, the dog owner should slowly move the treat backwards until it is over the dog’s head. Many dogs will sit in order to see the treat. The dog owner may need to gently push down on the dog’s hind quarters to encourage sitting. Immediately after the dog sits, the dog should be rewarded and praised.
Training sessions should be relatively short. A ten or fifteen minute training is enough. It is better to have two or three short training sessions a day than trying to accomplish training to a command in a single training session. Trainings may work best if they are done before the dog’s mealtime. The dog may not have much interest in the treat if it is full from eating a meal.
If the dog owner gets frustrated during training, it is better to stop training and continue at another time. The training sessions should not be tense times shared by the dog and its owner. A dog will sense the dog owner’s frustration and begin to have a negative view of dog training sessions. Training should be kept as a positive experience for the dog owner and the dog.
More Dog Related Articles
Teaching A Dog To Stay
The “stay” command is often taught after the dog has mastered sitting when it hears the “sit” command.
Teaching Dogs The Down Command
The “down” command is often taught after the dog owner has successfully trained the dog to sit and remain in the sitting position.
