The technique to train the dog to sit may seem quite strange or even ridiculous, but it will be worth the effort if you really want your pet to listen to you. Young dogs have short attention periods but you can anticipate them to start learning easy basic obedience commands like: sit, come, down, and stay. Formal dog training is usually delayed until six months of age, well after they’re too old to be influenced any longer by their owner’s suggestions. It’s up to you, though, to determine when your pet is ready and which technique to train the dog to sit using the positive reinforcement method.
The positive reinforcement is a great technique to train a dog to obey basic commands. The best way to accomplish this is to use treats and praise to encourage your pet’s behavior. Rewards are usually in the form of toys, affection, and petting or cuddling. Dogs are creatures of habit, so by rewarding your dog for obedience behaviors with treats and love, they’ll continue to do those behaviors. By constantly praising them for their good behavior you establish that as the desired behavior.
Using training treats and other types of rewards to encourage your pet’s obedience is much more effective than yelling or using other methods that might scare them. Shouting or hitting dogs doesn’t work in most cases. Some breeds of dogs are known to be aggressive toward humans, and hitting them won’t help them feel better. Using the positive reinforcement technique to train the dog to sit, will train them how to behave around people, which in turn makes them happier.
Dogs can only understand one instruction at a time. Using a single command to teach them multiple actions can confuse them, making them fail the training. To teach them how to sit you need to repeat the instructions a few times, slowly increase the repetition as your dog gets the concept. Repeat the entire process until your dog can sit without thinking about it. Don’t give up – eventually your dog will understand.
During the training process, it’s important to always walk with your dog next to you, so they are facing you and can see you. This will help keep them focused and aware. It’s also important to have treats close at hand, as your dog will want to grab them when they start to get hungry. Keep treats on a leash or place them in your lap, but don’t let them hold them too long – they will eventually want to grab something else, like your hand or the leash itself. Be consistent and keep repeating the same instructions until your dog completes the pattern.
When your dog has finally sat down, praise him. Continue to repeat the process until he is content, using the happy voice praise combination as well as the treats to reinforce his sitting down. Eventually he will begin to realize that he will get the attention and praise if he remains sitting down after receiving his food reward. Be patient, it will take him longer than dogs who are taught to sit on their own, but he will get there.
During the actual training, you may find yourself asking yourself, “Won’t my dog learn other commands before he learns to sit?” Good question! Dogs learn best through repetition, especially the ones they are naturally born with. Also, during training sessions, you will want to focus on one command at a time, teaching him the first one and then moving on to another. If you move from one command to another, your dog will become confused and won’t understand what you are trying to teach him.
One method for teaching dogs how to sit while using the clicker training technique is to click your dog with your clicking device when he exhibits good behavior. You can also use a voice command or simply a treat. The clicker makes your dog to pay attention by releasing a small amount of positive pressure. When he responds correctly praise him and give him the treat. You can use a voice command like “sit” or “stay” or simply “down” to train him to sit when he picks up his full poop. The clicker is very effective because he will be rewarded immediately for sitting down.