Puppy Training For Dummies,
busy people and anyone who wants to learn the basics to have a great dog for life

Part 6 --  Sit



This is the sixth in a series of articles that will help you raise the very best puppy possible. These lessons can also be used for adult dogs. The old wives' tale "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", like most tales, is NOT true. To have the best dog possible, pick the lesson you need and start teaching.

Learn to Sit!

     This sounds like a very simple lesson and it is if you have completed the first 3 lessons and your pup is:

     kennel trained

     house trained

     wearing leash and collar and knows the meaning of no or aaint

      knows not to run from you -  come

     To teach to sit we will use treats.  Praise is good for house and kennel training but when giving action commands like sit and come a food reward is a good incentive.  I prefer small treats such as liver treats   by Pro Treats (if you are really industrious check out this month recipe) that can be put in your pocket for quick retrieval without making a mess.  Your treat should be small so that you can use several without filling up the pup! 

     As I have stated in lesson #3, when giving an action command, you start with the pups name followed by the command --  Puppy, sit!  Say the command with authority ( of course the pup does not know what to do) while at the same time gently pulling upward on the leash and pushing down on the rump.  By pulling up gently, you keep the front end from going to the ground as well as the back end!  When the pup is in the sitting position, give a treat and say good dog!!  Remember, always use lots of praise!!!  The first 3 or 4 times, put the pup in the sitting position while giving the command, "Puppy, Sit!".  After a few trial runs, give the command and wait 3 to 5 seconds to see if the pup responds.  If the pup does not sit, give the command a second time while enforcing the command (putting the pup in the sitting position as described above).  

     When training, it is essential to remember some basics:

  1. Train for only 15 minutes at a time.  A pup (or dog) will become bored and restless if you train longer than that.

  2. When giving an action command such as sit, come or down, always begin with the pets name to get his attention and to let him know you expect an action.

  3. Give the command once and wait 3 to 5 seconds for the dog to respond.  If there is no response, give the command a second time while enforcing the command.  Do NOT repeat the command without enforcing it.  Repeating the command without enforcement teaches the dog that he does not have to execute the command until you have given it 3 or 4 times!

  4. Never train after feeding.  Train between meals so the pup will be hungry and more eager for treat and thus more eager to please.

  5. Use LOTS of verbal praise and hugs and pats!  Dogs wish to please their masters and your praise is what they crave!

     Practice sitting until your dog does it every time.  EVERY TIME!  Do not try to teach anything new until your dog has mastered the command you are working on.  Trying to teach too many things at once will only confuse the dog and frustrate you because the dog cannot learn all the commands at once.

     Watch for our next lesson which will be heeling and remember ALWAYS make time in your day to spend at lest 15 minutes of good quality one on one time with your best friend!