2torial #0933:
Learn2 Train Your Dog to Sit and Stay (continued)

Train your dog to sit

For most dogs, the sit command is the easiest to learn. It will also be the most immediately useful for you. To begin, take your dog to an area that's free of distractions, like your back yard, an empty room (meaning no television or radio on, and no other people or animals), or an empty field. Put some treats in your pocket before you go.

• Hold a treat in front of the dog's nose, so it knows you have food in your hand.

• Pull the hand with the treat up and toward the dog, so it's above the dog's nose. The dog's rear should automatically begin lowering toward the ground.

• As the dog adopts the sit position, say "Sit" clearly and firmly once. Praise the dog and give it a treat when it obeys the command.

If the dog doesn't sit when the treat is held over its nose, but instead cranes its neck up or jumps, pull your hand with the treat fully out of its reach and put the treat in your pocket. Then try again, this time reinforcing the action by gently pushing down on its rump. As soon as the dog sits, praise it and give it a treat.

Once you've executed the sit command with the treat five or six times successfully, take a break. Try again when both of you are rested and ready. When you feel the dog fully understands the sit command, begin to only use the treat every other time, and then every third time. Keep scaling back the food reinforcement until the dog is sitting with no reinforcement other than praise.