After paper
training, sitting is probably the first thing you will teach your puppy to do. You can
start the training as soon as the puppy is settled into his new home.
Okay, so a dog knows how to sit, but
learning to sit at your command is important, not only to you but to the dog.
1. This first step is easy. You
just start by saying "sit" every time the puppy sits itself. He learns to
associate the word sit with the action. This is a tip you can use in all training.
2. Take out his
favorite treat and keep it in your hand. Sausage usually works well but remember to cut it
in small pieces so the puppy can swallow it fast.
3. Sit down on the floor so you get to the same level as the dog.
You are less threatening when you sit. More important is that you are close to the dog so
you can reward him faster.
4. Slowly move the
treat over your puppy's head. The intention is to get the puppy to smell the treat (he
will) and follow it with his nose. He has two options. Either back still standing or sit
down. It's easier to sit down.
5 Immediately as he sits you say "sit" and give him the
piece of sausage. This is the key factor to all training. The reward has to be at exactly
the same moment the dog does the right thing.
6. Praise the dog. Show your joy with your voice as well as with
your body language.
7. Repeat these
steps 3-5 times. Not more than that because at one time because it needs to be fun! You
can repeat the steps several times during the day.
8. Now it's time to try these steps while standing up. Try to see
if the dog reacts only to the word "sit" without your hand and the treat. If he
sits down you obviously should praise him and if he doesn't, no big deal. Never show your
disappointment to your dog when you are training.
Most puppies will learn pretty fast. In a day or two you
will get him to sit with your "sit" command. Then you can try to make him sit
down beside you, which is actually a preparation for "heel" training.
The next training level is to strengthen the word
"sit" so the dog will sit in every situation no matter what's going on around
him. This is an ongoing process and you should never stop training. Use every new
situation to train him. Make him sit with new people, new dogs, and new surroundings.
It's quite easy to train your dog to sit. And it is
important. A puppy loves to do things with you. He learns to listen to his name. He gets
used to training and doing things with you and on your initiative. This strengthens your
position as the leader, and the puppy feels secure. When the puppy falls asleep in the
evening his last thoughts should be: "This is really a great pack!"
