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| Obedience: The Sit Command |
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Using the Sit command for obedience training
The Sit command is probably the one you hear most often when talking about puppy or
dog obedience training. It is used by just about everyone who comes in contact with a
dog. It is an easy command to start your obedience dog training with and one that your
puppy or dog will learn very quickly.
I always structure the sit command into my daily routine by using it at meal times, when I
am putting the leash on, when meeting people and so on. I always praise him when he
does it, even when he does it without being told. More importantly, especially when he
does it without being told. This means he is learning well so I reward him well.
The sit command, once mastered will become the key to maintaining control in any
situation. Getting him to sit and focus is the basis for all other obedience commands.
Your dog needs to be comfortable with you and know that you are in command.
If you have a puppy, he will naturally look to you as his parent but if it is an older dog,
there maybe some behavioral or psychological problems that need to be overcome with
lots of TLC. You need to have his attention and focus before you start any training
session.
General rules to help you train your dog to sit.
Training sessions should be short and fun. His attention span is going to be short so
make the training fun and rewarding
Always use their name with the command. They should already know their name by
now and it is necessary when you are controlling more than one dog.
Practice whenever you can. Not just structured training but part of your everyday
routine. Use it at meal times and at play times to make it rewarding and fun.
Understand what you want him to do and make sure he understands too. Don’t get
mad at him if he does not do it. He’s still learning. Leave it for a while and come back to
it.
Your commands must always be consistent as should the reward. You want him to obey
the sit command not just at meal times or when you’re playing fetch. It is a control
command.
Repeating your commands throughout his life will reinforce the meaning of the
command.
If you are using food as rewards they need to be gradually phased out so that he will
obey the command because you told him and not because there is a food incentive.
Increase giving affection as the reward and you will always have a happy dog.
Affection should be given in a high, happy tone and sound like fun. Correction should
be given in a lower tone and should be short. Short and sharp but not aggressive.
Don’t shout or scream which will just make him nervous and make it harder for you to
teach him.
Start the training in a familiar place with no distractions so that you get all of his
attention
Slowly introduce distractions and get him to maintain his attention to you.
Increase the sit time before he gets his reward.
Walk round him while he maintains the sitting position and reward him when you get
back to your start position in front of him.
Ensure that he has mastered the first part of the skill before going to the next step.
Use these techniques to get your dog to sit
When teaching a dog or puppy the sit command for the first time get down beside them
and give them a little fuss or a cuddle to make them feel comfortable then with one
hand on their chest just below their throat I gently push down on their rump as I am
quietly giving the command. “Dogs name, sit”.
As soon as they do, give them lots of praise. “Good boy, dog’s name, sit”. Do that a
couple of times and he will begin to associate the word with the action and the reward.
In the next session, just gently touching his rump and using the same sit command and
the same praise. He will soon begin to respond without any pressure.
Now try the same sit command without touching him at all. As soon as his rump touches
ground, give him a reward which for me is usually a big hug when I give the same
praise.
The points here are:
I extend this command further with the “stay” command I have used this technique for
years with excellent results. Later on, when you learn to talk naturally to him and not
just give him commands you can start saying things like “why don’t you sit?” he will
understand the command and obey.
Go from the Sit Command to the Down Command.
The Sit command is probably the one you hear most often when talking about puppy or
dog obedience training. It is used by just about everyone who comes in contact with a
dog. It is an easy command to start your obedience dog training with and one that your
puppy or dog will learn very quickly.
I always structure the sit command into my daily routine by using it at meal times, when I
am putting the leash on, when meeting people and so on. I always praise him when he
does it, even when he does it without being told. More importantly, especially when he
does it without being told. This means he is learning well so I reward him well.
The sit command, once mastered will become the key to maintaining control in any
situation. Getting him to sit and focus is the basis for all other obedience commands.
Your dog needs to be comfortable with you and know that you are in command.
If you have a puppy, he will naturally look to you as his parent but if it is an older dog,
there maybe some behavioral or psychological problems that need to be overcome with
lots of TLC. You need to have his attention and focus before you start any training
session.
General rules to help you train your dog to sit.
Training sessions should be short and fun. His attention span is going to be short so
make the training fun and rewarding
Always use their name with the command. They should already know their name by
now and it is necessary when you are controlling more than one dog.
Practice whenever you can. Not just structured training but part of your everyday
routine. Use it at meal times and at play times to make it rewarding and fun.
Understand what you want him to do and make sure he understands too. Don’t get
mad at him if he does not do it. He’s still learning. Leave it for a while and come back to
it.
Your commands must always be consistent as should the reward. You want him to obey
the sit command not just at meal times or when you’re playing fetch. It is a control
command.
Repeating your commands throughout his life will reinforce the meaning of the
command.
If you are using food as rewards they need to be gradually phased out so that he will
obey the command because you told him and not because there is a food incentive.
Increase giving affection as the reward and you will always have a happy dog.
Affection should be given in a high, happy tone and sound like fun. Correction should
be given in a lower tone and should be short. Short and sharp but not aggressive.
Don’t shout or scream which will just make him nervous and make it harder for you to
teach him.
Start the training in a familiar place with no distractions so that you get all of his
attention
Slowly introduce distractions and get him to maintain his attention to you.
Increase the sit time before he gets his reward.
Walk round him while he maintains the sitting position and reward him when you get
back to your start position in front of him.
Ensure that he has mastered the first part of the skill before going to the next step.
Use these techniques to get your dog to sit
When teaching a dog or puppy the sit command for the first time get down beside them
and give them a little fuss or a cuddle to make them feel comfortable then with one
hand on their chest just below their throat I gently push down on their rump as I am
quietly giving the command. “Dogs name, sit”.
As soon as they do, give them lots of praise. “Good boy, dog’s name, sit”. Do that a
couple of times and he will begin to associate the word with the action and the reward.
In the next session, just gently touching his rump and using the same sit command and
the same praise. He will soon begin to respond without any pressure.
Now try the same sit command without touching him at all. As soon as his rump touches
ground, give him a reward which for me is usually a big hug when I give the same
praise.
The points here are:
- I have shown him what to do
- I have rewarded him with affection and not food. Therefore there is no weaning
process and no ulterior motive for him to sit other than I told him to.
- Always keep your voice as soft as possible. Only harden your voice if he does
not respond.
- I use his name. This is important if you have more than one dog but are only
controlling one dog.
- I repeat the command in the praise. This can be dropped later when he has
mastered the command. I always include the name in the praise.
I extend this command further with the “stay” command I have used this technique for
years with excellent results. Later on, when you learn to talk naturally to him and not
just give him commands you can start saying things like “why don’t you sit?” he will
understand the command and obey.
Go from the Sit Command to the Down Command.
