Sitting can be a surprisingly easy command to teach.
- Start off by standing in front of your puppy with a suitable small treat in your hand.
He will be mesmerized by the smell and the anticipation of this little treat that now has all of his attention. - Bend down so that the treat is just in front of his nose and then lift your hand up and over his head towards his tail, saying the command “sit” at the same time.Your hand during this action should be just above his now upturned nose but not so high that he is tempted to jump up.
- With his nose now pointing upwards, he will simply find it easier to remain focused on the treat in your hand if he sits down. As soon as he does so, release the promised treat At the same time you can give him verbal praise, preparing him for the time when you will eventually replace the treat with eagerly sought after praise.
I tend to find it easiest, when first teaching a puppy this trick to keep my other hand behind him to prevent him for simply moving backwards. After a few times, you can remove this prop.
If you follow the principle of saying the command and then guiding puppy with your hands like this, he will start to sit simply because his upturned head pushes his bottom down.
How to Train a Dog to Sit
An excellent resource, for additional ideas, is Daniel Steven’s Secrets to Dog Training. He provides expert guidance and dog training tips from his years of experience as a professional dog trainer.
Click here for Tips on How to Train a Dog to Sit
Until next time, have fun with your puppy training!
~ Bright Dog Tips
