Introduction
Instructing a dog to sit upon command is a fundamental aspect of dog ownership. Basic obedience commands are crucial for establishing respect and leadership between the owner and the dog. Without early training in commands such as ‘sit’, teaching further commands becomes a formidable challenge, potentially leading to a lack of control over the dog. Dogs are eager to please their owners and will strive for even the smallest reward. The ‘sit’ command is the starting point for teaching a dog to halt and focus, which is essential when managing a dog’s behavior around people or during feeding times.
Defining Tasks
While dogs should be familiar with all four basic commands, ‘sit’ is often the initial focus in training classes. Mastering ‘sit’ paves the way for other commands like ‘stay’, ‘down’, and ‘come’. The ‘sit’ command is foundational for obedience training and is relatively simple to teach, requiring repetition and dedication. Owners should be ready to reward their dogs for compliance and recognize that multiple sessions may be needed to solidify the command. Daily practice is recommended to maintain proficiency.
Getting Started
To begin training, an enthusiastic attitude, a willing dog or puppy, and treats for rewards are necessary. Clicker training can be particularly effective for puppies, combining a clicker with treats to reinforce good behavior. The training process should be enjoyable for both the owner and the dog, with ample rewards and positive reinforcement.
Sit
- Position yourself on the floor with your puppy.
- Present a treat near your puppy’s nose.
- Elevate the treat, prompting your puppy to follow with its head, causing its bottom to lower.
- Once the puppy sits, immediately provide the treat.
- Introduce and repeat the ‘sit’ command as you lift the treat and the puppy complies.
- Reward each successful sit and keep training sessions concise.
Stand
- Stand before your dog with a treat in hand.
- Hold the treat above your dog’s head and command ‘sit’.
- Be patient as your dog follows the treat and sits.
- Click and treat the moment your dog sits.
- Practice daily and reward each time your dog sits.
Introduce a treat
- Keep a treat near your dog’s nose, possibly in a closed hand to prevent snatching.
- When your dog notices the treat, raise your flattened hand above its head.
- Command your dog to ‘sit’.
- Your dog should lower its body to follow your hand motion.
- Reward your dog as soon as it sits.
- Encourage your dog to stand and repeat the steps, rewarding each sit.
- Once mastered, use only the hand signal without the verbal command, rewarding compliance.
Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Zoey – Bull Terrier – 4 months
Question: Zoey’s owner seeks advice on teaching Zoey not to snatch food and to wait, as Zoey already sits for treats but not for meals.
Caitlin Crittenden – Dog Trainer
Caitlin recommends the ‘Leave It’ method, suggesting a modification to teach the ‘wait’ command. The process involves letting Zoey sniff closed hands containing treats, rewarding her when she stops trying to get them, and gradually progressing to using her food bowl. The goal is to condition Zoey to wait for the ‘take it’ command before eating.
Ozzy – Australian Shepherd Mix – 3 Months
Question: Ozzy’s owner is having trouble getting Ozzy to sit from a lying position.
Caitlin Crittenden – Dog Trainer
Caitlin advises Ozzy’s owner to command Ozzy to sit and then step toward him, prompting him to move into a sitting position. Rewarding and praising Ozzy when he complies should reinforce the desired behavior.
Jake – Lab Mix – 10 Months
Question: Jake’s owner is struggling with crate training, as Jake is hesitant to enter and must be forced in at night.
Caitlin Crittenden – Dog Trainer
Caitlin suggests practicing various methods to make the crate more appealing through play, toys, or food, and recommends the crate manners exercise to promote calmness and reduce anxiety. She emphasizes persistence and the goal of achieving a calm association with the crate.
