How to teach a dog to sit
By How To (/journals/how-to)
When you raise a treat over your dog's nose the nose tips up and the hips drop to the floor. That drop is the sit.
Gather a handful of pea-sized soft treats, clear a quiet corner, and set aside five minutes.
1: STAND two feet from your dog with treats in your pocket and one closed in your hand.
Face the dog square on. The dog looks toward your hand. If it wanders, wait quietly until it returns and looks at you again.
2: RAISE the treat from nose level straight up until it sits just over the head.
The nose tips up to follow and the hips start to drop. If front paws leave the floor, lower the treat two inches and raise slower.
3: HOLD the treat steady over the head for a count of two after the hips touch the floor.
The dog stays seated and watches the treat. If hips stay up, slide the treat a little farther back over the head and try once more.
4: SAY sit in a calm voice the instant hips touch the floor then open your hand.
Speak the exact word sit. The treat reaches the dog's mouth within one second. Palm faces the ceiling so the dog takes it easily.
5: PRACTICE the raise-hold-say chain five times then end the session.
Stop while the dog still wants more. If focus fades after three reps, switch to a tastier treat and cut the next round to three reps only.
The most common mistake
Shoving the dog's hips down with your hand is the most common mistake. Keep your hands off the body and let the rising treat drop the hips by itself.
Pro tip
Run the five reps just before mealtime so the treats matter more and the dog stays eager.
Say it every time
sit