Teaching your dog how to sit requires a bit of patience and can be one of the most rewarding dog training exercises you can perform. Teaching your dog how to sit is very important for your pet’s safety. A well behaved dog is a happy dog. Dogs have short attention spans and can easily become distracted. Keep in mind that while you want to teach your dog how to sit, you want to do it properly and with consistency.
Begin the training session slowly by only giving your dog small treats. Gradually increase the treats as your dog becomes more responsive. This technique to teach your dog to sit is similar to the method used when potty training your dogs.
The idea of this dog training technique is to trick your dog into thinking he is doing something wrong by giving him small treats. Your goal is to confuse your dog by placing different things around him that he should not be looking at. This technique is similar to “turn the other way”. Your goal is to confuse him so he doesn’t see what is coming. Once he stops looking at these things, you can then begin to give him the proper treat.
Try to use as many distractions as you can during your training sessions. Disruptions will increase his focus and make him focus on what you’re trying to teach him. You can try turning your TV off, closing your laptop, or playing soft background music. These distractions will prevent your dog from focusing on what you’re trying to teach him. If you can’t seem to distract your dog with anything, try running out of the room while you are speaking to him.
Have treats handy but don’t actually hold them in your hand or place them in the food bowl. Simply move them to your mouth, place his food bowl in front of him, and pretend he is going to eat the treats. He will then sit quietly while you give him the command to sit.
You may want to have someone else help you with this technique to teach your dog to sit down. You don’t want to accidentally teach him the wrong behavior. An extra pair of eyes and a helping hand can help you with this one.
To teach this technique to your dog, begin by using a clicker. Clicker training is a great way to teach your dog while still maintaining control. Begin by using your clicker to click your dog’s attention to you. Once he focuses on the clicker, immediately give him a treat and say, “Good boy!” Be sure to use the clicker in a clear voice and with some patience.
Remember that with proper training, your dog can learn to sit and stay for extended periods of time without creating any problems. If you notice your dog isn’t sitting when you call him over, try adjusting the training situation or perhaps switching from treats to toys. Always keep in mind that your dog wants to please you and if he isn’t doing so, correct his behavior and do not punish him. If you constantly punish him for bad behavior, you will end up with a very difficult dog that barks all the time and becomes a pain to live with.
Another training technique to teach your dog to sit is by enticing him with a toy and then rewarding him with the treat for staying sitting on the toy. If he stays over a period of time, he will learn that he will get his treat the next time he sits on the toy. You can also use a lure to teach your dog to sit. A small, colorful lure hung near your dog’s food bowl will entice him to sit and help him understand that if he goes near his lure, he will get a treat.
While it is imperative to train your dog with distractions, you should not use them as a form of punishment. They are helpful in training a dog to obey your commands, but if they are used too much, they can cause your dog to develop aggression. You can distract your dog during training sessions by leaving a TV, radio, or book open on your kitchen counter. This will keep your dog’s attention occupied while you work and help you to avoid focusing on negative things during training sessions.
Some people like to bring in their favorite treats during training sessions and luring them with their favorite food will teach your dog to sit. But don’t use food as the lure because dogs have a negative response to luring behaviors. Instead, use toys, attention, and praise. After a few weeks of using this method, you will begin to notice a change in your dog’s behavior. He will start looking forward to his treats and sit down whenever you put your hand through the top of his nose.