Many people love their dogs but feel like they can’t do anything to control them. Instead of encouraging good behaviors, they rely on ineffective scolding or physical punishment. All dogs should learn basic obedience as part of a healthy relationship with their owners, starting with the “sit” command. These tips can help guide your dog training experience.
People new to training may inadvertently spoil their pets. Consider stockpiling lower value treats such as biscuits for the initial stage of training, reserving more appealing rewards like cheese or meat for advanced training or very good behavior. Also keep in mind that your approval should be as important a reward to your dog as the treat; half a biscuit is still plenty when accompanied by a positive tone, and she’ll be less likely to grow tired of the activity if you’re not stuffing her.
Pick a quiet place to begin training your dog to sit and minimize distractions. Many owners choose the kitchen or the front hall to start, as these are places they are likely to want their dog to be on good behavior. Outside training should only take place once the command is firmly established in a controlled environment.
The sit command has three major components: the gesture, the verbal command, and the reward. First, get your dog’s attention (preferably without saying her name) and display a treat in your hand. Close your hand over the treat and hold it about an inch from her nose, allowing her to smell it but not get at it. Say your dog’s name, followed by“sit,” while moving your hand towards the back of her head. This should cause her to track the treat, lifting her nose, and automatically dropping her hindquarters. As soon as you see a sitting posture, say “Yes” and present the treat . “Yes” is recommended over “good dog” because it is quicker and more distinct. Repeat the steps again once your dog is standing until you see her begin to anticipate the verbal command when you present the treat.
Once your dog understands the basics, slowly phase out the gesture. First begin keeping the treat in your other hand or pocket while completing the over-the-head gesture. When that works, try holding your hand out without moving it and try to get the verbal “sit” to work alone. If you fail to get a sit without proof of reward, simply repeat the first training stage and take a break. It will likely take a little while before the word “sit” is enough to indicate a treat.
Don’t overstimulate your dog if she doesn’t understand right away. If you’re having trouble getting her to focus, you should take a break rather than risk confusing her. No training session should last longer than ten minutes total- you want to establish that sitting is desirable behavior that results in a treat, not one that she must learn in order to be released to go play.
Keep in mind that like humans, dogs learn at different rates. The most important dog training tool is patience and consistency in your method. Reward anything that approaches the desired behavior at first, to establish a relationship between sitting and treat. Then work on specific “sit” scenarios such as greeting people at the door or waiting to be fed.
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