All dogs should learn to sit still. This is a useful command in many situations, for example if you have guests and you don't want your dog to jump on them, or if you are carrying something heavy and your four-legged friend has to stand aside. It takes time, but with consistency and commitment, you can easily teach your dog to stand still.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Train your dog only when you are in the right mood
You should be rested and ready during the training sessions. If you feel unwell or if you are too busy, you may not be able to give your pet the necessary energy. Puppies, in particular, can be disobedient. If you are in a bad mood, you may end up scolding him, turning the training session into a negative experience.
Step 2. Schedule short training sessions
They should only last a few minutes and be spread evenly throughout the week. Try to train your dog for a few minutes every day, because if you skip a day, the animal may forget what it has learned previously. Two five-minute sessions per day are better than one hour-long session on Saturdays. Consistency ensures that your dog gets used to the training and learns more quickly what you try to teach him.
Step 3. Learn which rewards your dog appreciates the most
Training requires a lot of positive reinforcement. Usually, for dogs these take the form of morsels of food. Find out what your pet likes and use that reward at the end of successful training sessions. You will give him the right motivation to perform the desired action, in this case to stand still.
- Regular dog biscuits may be for you. They are small and the animal will eat them quickly; two advantages that are useful in situations like this, because you will use a lot of them during a training session.
- Your dog may particularly like a toy. Give it to him when he performs the desired action.
Step 4. Teach your dog to sit
Training to teach your pet to stay still often begins in a sitting position. For this, it is important that he knows how to sit on command. Read How to Teach the "Sit" Command to the Dog to deal with this step.
Part 2 of 3: Teaching Your Dog to Stand Still
Step 1. Consider that you will need to continue the training program for some time before your dog learns what you want
Remember that the animal does not speak our language, so it must learn to associate certain orders with the actions it must perform. It takes time and bear in mind that some individuals learn faster than others. The important thing is to have consistency and insist on training, until the dog follows your commands.
Step 2. Have the dog sit where he feels comfortable
To begin with, the animal should be sitting comfortably. Make sure the ground is not wet, cold, or covered with a surface that will bother him.
Step 3. Place the palm of your hand in front of the dog's muzzle as you exclaim "Stop
The combination of verbal and hand order will help the animal associate commands with standing still.
- Repeat "Stop" a couple of times before doing anything else, for your dog to learn that word. Say it in a cheerful tone. Use a firm tone only when the animal makes a mistake.
- Make sure you use the same word every time you order him to stand still. If not, it would take longer to figure out what to do.
Step 4. Take a step or two back
Keep your hand in front of the dog and keep repeating "Stop" as you walk away.
- The animal will likely get up and follow you the first few times you try to give it the order. When it starts to move, correct it with a "No", in a firmer tone than the one you used for the "Stop" command.
- Praise him when he resides. Resume a cheerful tone of voice when he stands still or returns to his seat after you have corrected him.
- Repeat this step if necessary. This first step is the most difficult. Your untrained dog will have an instinct to follow you when you walk away. Keep correcting him and making him sit up and remember not to give him a treat when he gets up and runs to you. It would only serve to teach him that getting up has earned him a reward.
Step 5. Give your dog a treat when he is standing still
Remember, positive reinforcement is the best training method. When the animal stands still after you have moved a few steps away, it means that it is beginning to understand the order. Reinforce his obedience with a treat.
Don't let him come to you to give him the prize. You would teach him that the reward is related to the act of getting up. On the contrary, you have to make him understand that he will be rewarded only by standing still. Go back to him, praise him in a cheerful tone of voice, then give him the food. Once he has learned to stand still, you can take command to come to you
Step 6. Have your dog come to you
Once your pet has learned to sit still, you can complete the training by having it come to you. Choose a word that tells him he can leave the sitting position. The most common signal is to say "Ok" and drop your hand. When he reaches you, give him a treat and praise him.
Whichever word you choose to order your dog to move, be sure to pronounce it in a different tone than you normally use to speak. If not, your pet may expect a reward every time you say "Ok" or another commonly used word
Step 7. Get further and further away
When your dog has learned to sit still after you take a few steps back, start increasing the distance. Take 5 steps back, then 10. Try to cross the whole garden. The goal is to make sure the pet stays still until it receives your order.
- Remember to praise him and give him a reward every time he obeys your orders.
- If he gets up and runs to you without receiving any directions, don't reward him.
Part 3 of 3: More Advanced Techniques
Step 1. Teach your dog to lie still on the ground
In some situations, your four-legged friend will need to remain still and lying down. For example, if you invite a guest who is afraid of dogs to your home, they may feel more comfortable if the animal lies down. To teach your dog this behavior, use the steps in Part 2, but starting with the training of the pet while lying down.
Step 2. Have your dog sit for longer
When the animal feels comfortable even at a great distance from you, you should keep it still longer. Start with a few seconds and gradually increase the duration of the exercise. Try to get within a few minutes if possible.
Step 3. Turn around as you move away from the dog
Until the animal has learned to sit still, you should always remain facing him. When he is more obedient, start turning away from him. For him, the lack of eye contact and hand gestures will be a new challenge.
Step 4. Distract your dog while standing still
When you use the "Stop" command in everyday situations, it is possible that something is distracting the animal. You should teach him to stay focused again. Here are some ways to test their attention, but don't be afraid to invent others. Remember, if your pet gets up because of a distraction, you need to start training again.
- Say hello with the arm you are not using for training.
- Start jumping.
- Bounce a tennis ball on the ground as you walk backwards.
- Ask someone to walk near the animal. Then ask that person to run.
- Ask someone to bring another dog during training.
Step 5. Don't be seen
When your dog has become really adept at standing still, you can try this advanced technique. Turn around a corner or walk into the house for a few seconds, then come back and show yourself. Try to stay out of sight of the animal for longer and longer and see how long it can stay still without seeing you.
Advice
- Do not let the animal sit still the first time you train it.
- Don't be impatient. It can take some time for your dog to understand what you are trying to teach him.
- If you feel frustration with your dog, don't show it. If you get angry with him, you could scare and discourage him.
Warnings
- Don't yell at the dog or punish him if he doesn't stand still. Just put it back and praise it when it behaves as it should.
- Training can take a long time. Do not give up! Consistency and determination are needed.
