Kids Pet World

Dogs can learn an amazing variety of behaviors, but few so important as the ’sit’. Beyond the basic need to help them understand that the human of the pair is the alpha, it has a number of benefits.

When a dog sits he’s more attentive to you, making it easier to follow further commands. His eyes are on you, the alpha or the person in charge.

As important as what the dog is doing, is what he is not. In a sit, he’s more or less stationary. There are still those wagging tails, after all. That means he’s not chasing the cat, knocking over the furniture, running through the garden or out into the middle of the road.

But getting there can be easier or more difficult depending on breed, individual and training style your dog has perviousley been tought with. Fortunately, most every dog can and will learn this basic move in short time.

First, take advantage of the dog’s behavior by watching him closely. The idea is to catch him in the middle of performing the behavior of sitting and say ’sit’ and gesture. That way a dog associates the behavior with the command. Always associate a unique hand signal and tone with the command. Praise the dog lavishly. Hold off on food treats. Save the bribes until you really need them.

At first the dog will have no idea why you’re so happy with him/her doing something they normaly do on a regulay basis. But dogs tend to be happy when the peron in charge is, and upset when he isnt as happy. With repetition comes understanding.

When you would like your dog to just do a sit when you tell them to a sit, stand and face the dog then issue the command, then wait for the response you disire out of your dog. Some will get it after the first couple of tries, some will take ten or more tries. Some won’t get it without further prompting. Now bring out the other techniques if your dog still dosent get it.

With a treat or a favored toy, face the dog and place it above his head and slightly behind the forehead, but still visible to the dog. The dog will tend to look up and stretch its chin slightly backward. When you have his attention move the treat slowly back toward the tail.

Some dogs will respond by backing  backwards. If your dog does this try the technique near the couch or a wall so he has nowhere to go. When the dog starts to sit, give the command and hand signal. When your dog does sit make sure to praise lavishly and give the reward.

Voice commands aren’t the only sound that will work. Many trainers use a ‘clicker’ - a small plastic and metal device that makes a ‘click-clack’ sound when pressed and released on the metal part. Dogs can distinguish the sound over surprisingly long distances and amidst other moderate background noise.

As a last resort, for the stubborn or slow learner, give the command sit and at the same time push gently on the back near the tail as you lift their chin. Praise and reward anyway, even though you had to ‘force’ the sit. At least they will not try not to let you make them sit next time if they know they are goin to get a treat. Take special care with young hips - don’t force a completely uncooperative dog this way.

Repetition, consistency (reward only for the proper action), and enthusiasm will quickly lead to learning the ’sit’. Don’t be harsh, but don’t give up easily either. And never let him train you because then, well your not quite the Alpha anymore.