How to Teach Your Dog to Sit

"Sit" is usually the first command you will teach your dog. Not only is it the easiest, but you'll want to use it a lot when you teach your dog other commands. You can easily teach your dog to sit. He/she will learn the command after only a few short training sessions.

To get started you will want plenty of very small treats. You don't want Fido to sit there chewing while you are ready to keep going. Small smelly treats work the best. If your dog is likely to walk away from you it may also be helpful to put him on a leash though I didn't find this necessary.

Start off by standing or sitting in front of your dog. Hold the treat near your pet's nose and move it slowly over his head. Keep it just out of his reach. As soon as his bottom hits the ground say "yes" or "good" and give him the treat. Using "yes" or "good" or another short word will mark the exact moment that your dog did what you wanted him to do. It lets him know what he is being rewarded for. Do this few times until you know he is going to sit then we are ready to add in the "Sit" command.

Again, stand in front of your dog. Hold the treat near his nose and as you move it over his head give the command "Sit". At the exact second your dog sits say the word "yes" or "good". Give a lot of praise and reward treats for even small steps of progress.

Once your dog is sitting good for you try giving the "Sit" command without the treat in your hand. You can reward your dog with a treat from the opposite hand. Then, start saying "Sit" without moving your hand over the dog's head. When he sits, say "good" or "yes" and then reward the sit with a treat. As your dog learns sit very well you can slowly phase out giving a treat for every time your dog sits.

Keep your training sessions short, around 5 minutes. Try training during commercial breaks or in short periods throughout the day.

Once your dog learns the Sit command you can continue to reinforce it by using it everyday. Try telling Fido to sit before you let him outside or to sit before you set his food bowl down in the morning. It is important to also use the command when your dog is introduced to new environments, new people, and new dogs. You wouldn't want your dog to only sit for you at home and have bad manners in public.

Once Sit is mastered you should move on to teaching "Down/Lay" or "Stay". Good Luck!