An important aspect to having a dog is training him to obey simple commands. Teaching your dog will help him learn how to behave in your home and social situations. Using a mixture of patience, praise, and treats you can train your dog to obey several important commands. One of the first commands many people teach their dog is to sit.
The first step is to wait until your dog is about to sit down. Make sure you are in a quiet atmosphere free of distractions. Clearly say the word “sit” just as he is sitting down. Then reward your dog by saying good sit in a happy, pleased voice. You may also choose to reward your dog with a small treat when he sits down. Continue using rewards and praise with this command until your pet beings to associate the word “sit” with the action of sitting.
Next, attempt to have your pet sit on command without waiting for him to initiate the action. Take a small treat and hold it just above his nose. Move the treat backwards slowly as you say “sit”. At the same time push down on his backside gently with the other hand. As soon as he sits to see what you have, immediately reward him with praise and the treat. Continue this step until your dog is consistently sitting on command.
Soon your dog should respond to this command even when a treat is not present. If you have spent time practicing this command with a treat this should not be a difficult transition. Whenever you would like your dog to sit, simply state the command and wait for him to respond. Even though your pet is now about to sit on command without a treat, you should still offer praise to encourage this behavior. |
