The Seated command is one of the simplest to teach and is usually one of the first in normal training. Sitting can be a useful behavior in many situations, but training is also the beginning of a clear relationship between you and your dog. When your dog learns to sit on command, you will have gotten his attention and future trainings will be much easier. Some methods typically work best with puppies, while others are better suited to larger, less energetic dogs.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Establish a Training Environment
Step 1. Go slowly
Dogs, especially puppies, have low attention spans and are easily distracted. Remember this aspect during training and go slowly in the beginning. Give your dog breaks to allow him to fully concentrate during training sessions.
Step 2. Choose a suitable environment
The training environment should be an area where the dog feels comfortable and free from distractions.
- A room in the house can be an ideal place, where you will have more control over the dog's activity level and can better direct his attention.
- Let everyone in the house know that you will be working with the dog so that they don't introduce distractions that could interfere with the training session.
Step 3. Avoid outdoor training if possible
Training sessions offer a much less controlled environment and a lot more distractions. Training outdoors also limits your ability to hold the dog's attention.
If you need to train your dog outdoors, you will need a safe area to prevent the dog from escaping, or a leash. This can greatly limit the effectiveness of the training techniques and make the operation much more difficult
Step 4. Interpret the dog's mood
If your dog starts the training session in the best way - paying attention, responding to commands and participating in the training - but then gets distracted, take a break. Your dog may feel overwhelmed. You may need to find an environment that is less distracting or make training sessions shorter (5 minutes instead of 10 for example).
Method 2 of 4: Using the Prize Trick
Step 1. Get a variety of small prizes
Since you will give your dog a lot of rewards during training, choose them very small. You can also use human foods that are good for dogs, such as pieces of apples, carrots, green beans, or chicken. If the dog you are training is overweight, you may find a low calorie or diet treat, or even use diet dog food.
Always check that human food is safe for dogs. There are many foods such as raisins, grapes, chocolate, onions or avocados, which can be harmful to dogs
Step 2. Grab your dog's attention
As with all types of training, the first step is to get the dog's full attention. To do this, you should stand directly in front of him when he is facing you, so that he is focused only on you and can see and hear you clearly.
Step 3. Show the dog a treat
Keep a reward in your hand so that he knows you have it, but not allowing him to take it. He will be very curious and will try to figure out how to get the reward. You should now have his full attention.
Step 4. Bring the reward from the dog's nose to the back of the head
Hold the treat very close to the dog's nose, then slowly raise it above his head. He will follow her with his eyes and nose, looking up and at the same time sitting down.
- You will need to hold the reward close enough to the dog's head so that you don't try to jump to reach it. Keep it low to the point that it will sit down.
- If your dog is not fully seated, you can help him by gently pushing him into a full sitting position, while holding the reward at the usual height.
- If your dog tries to back off to follow the reward instead of raising his head and sitting down, try the homemade reward trick in the corner. This will limit the dog's ability to move backward and can help him sit up.
Step 5. Say "sit" when the dog sits and reward him with a treat
When your dog's back hits the ground, say "sit" in a firm voice, then immediately offer him a treat as a reward.
Try to limit the use of words. If the dog doesn't sit down right away, don't say "no, sit down" and don't enter any other commands. If you limit the words to just command and praise, the command word will be clearer for your dog
Step 6. Praise your dog's behavior
Reinforce the reward with praise; stroke his head and use words like "good puppy". This reinforces the dog's awareness that it has made you happy. Do this every time your dog sits down during the training session.
Step 7. Order the dog to leave the sitting position
You can set your dog free by using a command word such as "free" or "go", stepping back to encourage him to come towards you.
Step 8. Repeat for 10 minutes
After some time, your dog may get bored, so take a break and start training again. Aim for 2-3 short sessions every day. It will likely take 1-2 weeks of consistent training for your dog to catch on.
Step 9. Gradually reduce the use of rewards
At the start of training, give your dog a treat every time he sits down. Also make sure you always praise him. After a week or two, when your dog sits down regularly, offer the treat less frequently, but continue to offer praise. You will have to (slowly) be able to seat the dog with a wave of the hand and the command "sit", without using prizes, then only with the command "sit".
Method 3 of 4: Offer Physical Guidance
Step 1. Use this method for unruly dogs
It allows you to have better control over the dog you are working with, and is better suited to very active dogs.
The key to working with unruly dogs is to maintain control with the use of a leash and reinforce positive behaviors. You should ignore negative attitudes during training; if you react to them, you will strengthen them
Step 2. Put your dog on a leash
You will need to get your dog's attention and force him to sit still during the training sessions. Using a leash you will get this goal and keep it close. If you'd rather not use a leash, you can still use this method to train your dog for as long as he will be by your side.
- Keep the leash tight so the dog is close to you, but not so tight that it is annoying.
- You may have to try different types of leashes to find the one that best suits your dog. A leash that tightens the dog to the chest instead of the back may give you more control over the dog's movements and behavior.
Step 3. Stand next to your dog and encourage him to sit
You will help him get down and sit up by pushing him very gently into the air directly over his hind legs. He might be confused at first, but after a moment he will understand and sit down.
- Don't force your dog to sit. Pushing him too hard could scare or hurt him.
- Never hit and never spank your dog. You're not going to teach him to sit like that, just to fear you.
- If the dog rebels and refuses to sit, try letting him walk a little on the leash to "reset" the sitting session, then try starting over.
Step 4. Say "sit" as soon as the dog's back touches the ground
Hold your hand in place for about 30 seconds so that you associate the session with your command.
Step 5. Repeat the gentle session
You should repeat this process many more times, rewarding and praising your dog for each successful attempt. Continue to guide him into the sitting position with your hand until he learns to sit only with the voice command.
Step 6. Change your environment
If your dog is always resisting sitting, you should try to move to a surface that is more comfortable for him. You can also try taking a break and try again later, after giving your dog some alone time.
Step 7. Be persistent
With a particularly energetic dog, it can take weeks of training before he learns to sit on command. To help calm your dog and speed up the process, remember to be calm yourself and speak in a neutral tone. You can also try to plan your training sessions for times when distractions are minimized and the dog has been exercising a lot and has less energy.
Step 8. Try a sit command without assistance
When your dog has learned to sit regularly with assistance, it's time to try without your help. With your dog still on the leash, practice saying "sit" when your dog is standing, without keeping your hand on his back. In the beginning, keep rewarding him every time you are on command, and then reduce the frequency of rewards more and more.
Method 4 of 4: Praise the Dog's Natural Behavior
Step 1. Use this method with older, calm dogs
This method is less successful with puppies, but works well with older dogs who are relatively calmer.
Step 2. Work with your dog in a comfortable environment
It is advisable to start educating him at home, where there are fewer distractions. Work indoors in a relatively small area, but allow the dog to move freely.
Remember that this is not a training phase, just observation. You should stay calm and not try to change the dog's natural behavior
Step 3. Observe your dog until he sits down
Do nothing to force the dog to sit, but allow him to move freely until he sits alone.
Step 4. Say "Sit down
"and reward the dog immediately. Make sure you say" sit "and give the dog a treat the moment he drops his hindquarters. Speak clearly and in a friendly tone. Reward the dog by patting him on the head and saying" good puppy! "or by giving them a small prize.
Avoid yelling harshly at the dog. Dogs don't respond well to negative reinforcement
Step 5. Repeat the exercise as often as possible
Your dog must be able to associate the act of sitting with the command "sit", so you will need to practice a lot. Try to be close to him for 30 minutes to an hour, using the technique described above to reinforce the action.
Step 6. Then start telling him "sit" when he is standing
If the previous training was successful, he will understand the meaning of the word and sit down. If he carries out the order, reward him immediately. Keep training him until he can sit on command without needing a reward.
Advice
- Learning to sit is not straightforward for all dogs. You have to train him every day until he learns and then you will have to remind him of the order frequently.
- Reward the dog every time he does the order correctly.
- If your dog still hasn't figured it out, don't force it. Stop before both of you get frustrated - resume the next day.
- Love your dog and be patient. You will have to train it for a long time for you to learn.
- Occasionally, let the other family members try seating the dog as well.
