Dog obedience training your dog to sit on command is a basic training exercise and is a good way to introduce your dog to dog obedience training and dog whispering. This is a command that your dog or puppy will be able to do quickly and easily. It will also instill self confidence in your dog and allow you to build future training and more obedience skills for your dog.
It is also a good foundational obedience so that your dog doesn't playfully jump on visitors or run out the door when each time it opens. It allows you to inject control and the pack leader role into the relationship.
This is a command that even very young puppy's will grasp without too much trouble and is simple for the newer dog whisperer students.
Here are a few good rules of thumb to apply when teaching the site command:
1. Your training sessions should be limited to short periods of time no more than 10 minutes usually.
2. Dog obedience training must be consistent daily routines until mastered.
3. Make it clear to your dog what is expected. Commands should be precise. 'Sit', 'Down', 'Stay'
or whatever command you may be working on.
4. This should be fun for both you and your dog. Incorporate playful opportunities like throwing a ball or stick as a reward for appropriate behavior.
5. Positive reinforcement will gain best results. Lots of praise and rewards when your dog obeys.
6. Be patient. Your dog wants to please you. Give him the chance and then practice regularly even after he has mastered.
7. You can eventually stop rewarding with food. But it doesn't hurt to occasionally offer food as a reward after he has mastered the sit command.
8. Make sure learning the sit command is easy for your dog by starting this in a quiet, comfortable environment free from unnecessary distractions. You can incorporate more difficult training later, such as training in a park or around other people and animals.
Here are three techniques that may work for you teaching your dog to sit:
1. Anytime you are with your dog and you notice him about to sit immediately say Sit in a clear, firm voice. As soon as your dog sits lavish him with praise and pet him lovingly. This will start to build a connection between your command and the act of him sitting down. It will also build a bond between you that you can build on in later lessons. He will quickly understand the association between sitting and pleasing you. Be sure to reward him with praise and perhaps a food treat to positively reinforce his behavior.
2. Stand in front of your dog with one of his favorite food treats. Move your hand up over his head, keeping the treat a few inches from his nose. Your dog should follow the treat with his nose over his shoulders which will cause his back side to hit the ground. As soon as it does give him the treat and praise him with a scratch behind the ear or a pat on the head. If he backs away or jumps up at the treat you hand is too far over his head or holding to far away. Once your dog has repeated this successfully once or twice you can start including the verbal 'Sit' command. Always positively reinforce appropriate behavior and practice this regularly and consistently.
3. If your dog doesn't respond to the methods outlined above, or if you prefer to use a collar and leash in your training, this technique will do the trick. Stand next to your dog, both of you facing the same way. Hold the leash straight up, directly above the collar. At the same time gently press down on your dogs back (down near his hips) and say "sit". As soon as your dog is in the sitting position, reward and praise him. Within no time you won't need to press down on your dogs back or even hold the leash up. He will understand that your "sit" command means that you require him to plant his backside on the ground. And he'll be happy to do it for you because he knows that he receives praise and attention when he does.
These are terrific training exercises that if done with focus and consistency will result in happy dog and satisfied owner.
