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Getting Your Dog To Sit On Command: The Easy Secret That Can Save Your Dog’s Life

One of the first commands you teach your dog is the command to sit. Fortunately, this is not only easy, but a fun way to begin training your pet. This is an essential command because it could save your dog’s life if you teach it well. I won’t dwell on this, but more than one dog would have happily charged into traffic and certain death had its owner not saved it with the “sit” command.

In this article, I suggest two basic ways to train your dog to sit. If your pet is a puppy, then start at about 8 weeks. Set up a schedule, and then once you start, don’t deviate from the routine. Make sure that your training is conducted in the same manner.

This is important because the sameness and predictability will make your dog feel secure and confident. When training a puppy, or any other dog, always be prepared to repeat a routine or step many times just as if each time were the first. Always be patient and gentle, and of course be generous with praise and follow good behavior with an occasional treat.

Method 1

The first thing you want to do is catch your dog’s attention. In this method, you do this by uttering your pet’s name while holding a treat in front of and just above your dog’s muzzle. Move the treat in a slow arc above and backward over its head. Your dog will want to keep its eyes on the morsel, and as it moves its head back, its rear end will reposition itself on the floor. As you see the dog begin to sit, firmly utter the command, “sit.” Follow this by praise and a treat.

Once you establish the routine, you must repeat it every day or at various times throughout the day. As much as possible, do the training the same way at the same times during the day. I suggest that in the beginning, limit the training sessions to 10 minutes. Later, you can lengthen this to 15 minutes. I wouldn’t go longer than 15, but that, of course, will be up to your own judgment. As your pet catches on, he will begin responding to hand motion, and you can start substituting praise for treats. Plan on doing this for about 2 weeks before you start seeing a consistent level of obedience.

Method 2

Method 2 is similar to method 1 and is actually the one I prefer. This method requires that you leash your dog and have it positioned to your left. The way this works is that when you say, “sit,” you gently tug upward with leash and gently push down on the dog’s hind end. Follow the completion of the act with praise and a treat. Rinse and repeat for about 10 minutes. If you have a young puppy, consider several sessions of 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day.

Get more free information on Basic puppy training preparation.

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