Training a Puppy to Sit

Method 1

Using a food lure in your right hand, bring it close to puppy's nose and move it up. His rear will automatically go down, but guide it with your left hand. Cup his rear and hold it in place to ensure a tight, square, tucked sit. Praise as you give him the treat. Use his name in that praise. "Good Willie! Good sit!". Remember that praise and a treat should be combined - not treat before praise. Or, better - praise before the treat. Eventually, you'll phase out the treat, but the praise remains. --Phyllis Thompson


Method 2

This exercise uses a food reward, unless the dog is an idiot over food, which would make it difficult. Usually though, you can find a food that a dog will work for, but not necessarily rip your hand off over. So find that balance. Bend slightly over the dog, let him sniff the treat then move the food just out of reach and slightly back of his head. He will want to see where it went. Most dogs just naturally sit out of the need to follow your hand. Repeat the command "sit" while doing this. When the dog does sit, say "good sit" in a nice tone and give him the food, still slightly over his head, don't make him reach forward and get out of position. Some dogs try to turn around to follow your hand, just keep positioning your body in front of him, while nicely telling him to sit. Eventually he will tire of turning.

Be calm. A lot of dogs need to do a lot of wrong things before they calm down enough to start to think. Don't chatter at him. Give the dog the room to think this through. The one-word "sit" coupled with no food until the dog does sit, may take time initially, especially in older dogs trained in stronger ways. They need to de-stress and realise there is no punishment in LEARNING. Puppies learn this way very quickly.

Repeat this 10-12 times at a "sitting"(sorry, couldn't resist) and as you see the light bulb come on, start to give food less and less, and reward with a "good sit!” Don't over praise and cause him to break the sit. If he does, just re-do it, you need to find the level of verbal and patting praise that will work, and food. Remember to ask for the sit when you have eye contact. Remember to use your release word when the exercise is over (make sure it ends on a happy note), DON"T over praise when you are done! Why should he work when all the praise is at the release???







Method 3







The dog should be stood at the handlers left side facing forwarded, the lead should then be shortened and held in the right hand. The flat of the left hand is placed over the dogs hips (fig 1) - not too far forward (fig 2)- not too far back (fig 3) taking care not to pinch. Say the dog’s NAME, give the COMMAND ‘SIT’ and apply the COMPULSION - Right hand to Left shoulder, whilst pressing down on dogs hips (fig 4), this way the dog is under control and can be kept straight. If the dog resists being pushed down do not force it, but encourage it by giving the command in a gentle voice and gently pressing down. Remember at this point the dog is being taught and doesn’t understand the command. Give PRAISE immediately.

• Did you successfully train your dog to sit? Share some tips!
• Any advice on training older dogs?