Teaching how to teach puppy to sit is not hard, but there are a few things you should know. Most dogs can be taught to do anything, as long as they have been trained. Puppies as small as six months old can easily catch on to the sitting-for-payment behavior, and even older dogs with no physical mobility issues can learn how to sit if gently asked. For high-energy or bouncy puppies and dogs, the “catching” method described below usually works best.
“Come” is the single most important fundamental in dog training, and the easiest commands to teach a puppy. It can be taught with only a little bit of guidance. Begin by guiding your puppy’s nose to the ground and saying the word “come”. As soon as your little bear comes to land, say the come command with a loud, excited tone, as if you were just yelling “Come!”. Then, guide your puppy’s paws toward the ground, saying the come command quietly while your dog nudges him along.
In the early stages of teaching your dog to “sit”, it will be necessary to use treats for reinforcement, much like a small kid receiving a treat for doing a good job. To encourage your pet to sit on command, simply place a treat in his paws and say “sit” very firmly. Be sure not to give him the treat until he has sat. If you accidentally give the treat to your dog before he has sat down, he will quickly become confused and may refuse to sit again.
For a more subtle approach, place your finger on the back of your little bear’s neck as he sits. While he adjusts himself to the position, say the come command as calmly and loudly as you can, using short, controlled, praise-worthy words. Avoid yelling at your pup, since this can be counterproductive. The goal is to gradually move him from sitting to laying down, then standing, then sitting down, and finally laying down.
Once you get your dog to lie down and stay down, don’t forget about luring him in. When he begins to lie down, use a tasty treat to lure him in. Stay nearby to watch him and reward him each time he brings the treat up to his mouth. You should be able to do this several times in a row without your pup getting excited and refusing to lie down.
If you have a puppy or dog who is still learning how to behave, you may need to start training sessions early. Some dogs are wired differently and learn better at different times. Others need extensive training sessions to be really receptive to what you are teaching them. Regardless of the reasons for wanting to train your pet, start by keeping in mind that it is a slow, step by step process, and that patience is important.
Step one of how to teach puppy to sit, using the lure, is to hold the treat above his nose in an upward position. As he looks at the lure, step up behind him, not too far away but close enough that you can easily reach him with your arm. Offer the treat and when he starts to bring the treat up to his mouth, step back and deliver the same command you used in step one.
This is a gradual process, but will work over time, and your dog will start to associate the behavior with the actions of lying down with the rewards of having his treat. Keep using the same commands and vary the rewards until your pup learns all three steps. Once he can sit without you having to say anything, begin removing the treats as he becomes more proficient. Keep practicing until he has mastered the whole process.