BEHAVIOUR
How to Train a Dog to Sit in Four Easy Steps!
Want to teach your dog to sit on command? Dog training expert Shivani K shows how you can do this in four, simple steps.
Shivani Kuthe
Dog Behaviourist
Table of contents
One of the very first commands our dog learns when they come home is the “Sit” command. By teaching them this cue, we can help them settle down and be calm when we need them to be. The “Sit” command also helps set the foundation for more advanced dog training commands such as a “Stay” or a “Go to bed”.
To ensure that our dogs understand and always respond to our commands, it is important to use positive reinforcement, that is, teach them that performing a certain behaviour will get them valuable rewards. For this dog training exercise, we will be using doggy treats to encourage them to get in a “Sit” position.
To ensure that our dogs understand and always respond to our commands, it is important to use positive reinforcement, that is, teach them that performing a certain behaviour will get them valuable rewards. For this dog training exercise, we will be using doggy treats to encourage them to get in a “Sit” position.
How to Train a Dog to Sit
- Hold a piece of treat in the palm of your hand and cover it with your thumb. Offer your hand to the dog without allowing him to get the treat to get his attention on your “luring” hand.
- Hold the treat in front of your dog’s snout and move it above his head, while using your other hand to gently guide the dog’s hips down to the floor to get him in the “Sit” position.
- The moment your dog is in the “Sit position”, mark the behaviour with a verbal affirmation such as “good boy” or a “yes” and reward him with the treat immediately.
- Practise a few times to make sure that the dog understands the “Sit” position is being rewarded. Once your dog begins to sit by himself, start using the command word “Sit” right before he puts his hips on the floor.
Karthik R teaching a dog the sit command.
It is important that our dogs know certain, essential dog training commands such as Sit, Come, Stay, Go to Bed, Leave it, etc. that can often come quite in handy during life-threatening situations. Not only does dog training help build a stronger bond between a dog and its parents, but it also grants them access to a lot more experiences in life without risking their safety. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try out this dog training command with your puppy and share videos with us @thepack.in on Instagram!
Happy Pet Parenting!
Happy Pet Parenting!
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About the author
Shivani Kuthe
Dog Behaviourist, 5 yrs exp
Shivani is a dog trainer & behaviourist based in Bengaluru. She helps parents live more enriching lives with their dogs and is passionate about the cause of community dogs. Post-grad in Literature, Shivani also leads all content efforts at thePack.in
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