Teach Your Dog to Sit
Follow these tips to get your dog to sit!
Teaching your dog to Sit can be a useful skill. It can be used to get them to stop jumping, wait at doors, or keep them from getting onto the counters. To teach it, we’ll be using a method called luring where you will take a treat in your hand, and move it in a way so that your dog follows it into a Sit position.
Have your treats ready and make sure you are on non-slip flooring. Take one treat into your hand. Move your treat hand right in front of your dog’s nose, and think of your hand as being a magnet to your dog’s nose. You want it touching or very close to your dog’s nose. Your dog will likely start sniffing or even licking at the treat which is perfect. Once your hand is in position move the treat in a straight line over your dog’s head and towards their tail. Your dog should start to tilt their head back, and if you keep the treat close to their nose, they will likely start to Sit. As soon as their bottom hits the floor, say “Yes!”, and give them the treat. If your dog backs up that is okay, continue to hold the treat in position and move it towards their tail, as for some dogs it may take a few repetitions for them to understand. You can also try practicing near a wall or other barrier so they can only back up so far. Be patient and move your hands slowly. If you move to fast or hold your hand up too high, your dog will likely move fast or even jump up to try and get the treat. Steady movements will help give your dog a chance to move calmly and into the Sit position.
Repeat this process several times over a span of 3-5 minutes, making sure to reward and really praise your dog once they sit. Practice this in various rooms in your home as well as outside, always making sure to practice on non-slip flooring. Once your dog is easily sitting as soon as you move the treat near their head, you can add in your verbal cue, “Sit”. Make sure to say the word “Sit” first, pause for a second, then move your hand. We want your dog listening for the word, not just following your hand movement. Once your dog is doing that well, you can remove the treat from your hand but still hold your hand as if a treat is in it. Remember to say “Sit”, pause, then move your hand. After practicing this for a few sessions, you should notice your dog starting to Sit as soon as you say the word. Congrats! You’ve taught your dog to Sit on a verbal cue! Now, make sure to continue practicing it in as many new locations as possible, all throughout your house, outside, at the park, pet friendly stores, etc. This way your dog will truly learn what the word “Sit” means, and is able to do it any place.
Teaching your new puppy or dog to Sit is usually fairly easy, but for some dogs it can be more challenging. If you notice your dog or puppy is really struggling, it may be worth looking into further with your veterinarian as for some puppies and dogs it may actually hurt to Sit. If after practicing for several sessions, changing locations, trying having them Sit on different flooring, etc. and they still aren’t able to Sit, or if they Sit but it is very slow or they stick their legs out to the side, it is time to visit the veterinarian.
