How to teach a dog the "Sit" command?

Team "Sit!" there is in any basic dog training course. It seems that teaching a dog what she already knows how to do by nature is pointless. But the significance of such a skill is very great. The team develops such important qualities in the pet as obedience, endurance and attentiveness. On the other hand, this can greatly facilitate the life of the owner, when it will be necessary to quickly reassure the dog that has played out.

Many breeders have a question about how old the dog is able to perceive commands and clearly fulfill the requirements. Some postpone this process to a later period, others almost from a month old try to train the puppy in different teams.

Dog handlers say that the training process for the Sit team is best started no later than three months of age.

It is worth noting that many dog ​​breeders start training much earlier. And it brings positive results. By the time strict training sets in, the dog already understands what they want from it and how to react. However, do not forget that Until the age of 3 months, the entire training process should take place in a playful way. So you will develop in the puppy interest and love for activities. If you act with aggressive methods, then the dog will have a negative idea of ​​all the activities, and the process will go much slower and more complicated.

Puppies are trained in new teams using food. This is the most effective and enjoyable way for them at this age. It is better to leave the mechanical effect for later periods, when the dog will have the praise of the owner in priority.

There are two main ways you can teach your dog to sit at home. It is mechanical and feed-based. In the first case, the owner himself shows the pet what he wants to get from him. By clicking on the lower back, he makes the dog assume a sitting position.

In the second case, only a voice command or a hand gesture is used. The generally accepted gesture is an upward bent arm with an open palm. It may seem that the second method is more complicated.

Both the first and second methods have their pros and cons. In addition, in many ways, the method of training depends on the temperament and breed of the dog. If one and the other option can be applied to labradors, then in training Doberman it is better to use the option with complementary foods, as these dogs react negatively to physical effects.

There is a third (combined) way to teach a team. This is when the trainer himself puts the dog in the desired position by pressing the sacrum, but at the same time does not forget to give sweets after execution. This option is often used in the initial stages of training.

Sometimes even those dogs who already know this command refuse to execute it. The reason for this may be an active game with other animals, interest in a new place or object. You must ensure that the pet clearly follows your voice commands, even while being at a distance from you. In this case, you can also resort to various methods.

For example, if you trained a dog with food, but at a distance he does not obey, you can go to the dog and once again strictly pronounce the demand. A dog that has been strongly played out can be reassured and seated with the palm of your hand.

This method is suitable for puppies and adult dogs. Its main advantage is that the trainer does not touch the dog when training and developing new skills.

To make the dog more willing to execute commands and wait for a well-deserved reward, do not feed him before the start of the lesson. The best thing, if the last meal will be 5-7 hours (depending on breed and age) before training.

So, here are the main stages of the lesson.

1. First, call the dog to you. This should be done in a calm, confident tone. It should not be heard notes of aggression and irritation, but it is better to avoid special delight and joy in intonations.
2. When the puppy comes up to your call, stand so that it is near the left foot.
3. Fist the treat and bring it to the nose of the pet. In this case, all attempts to grab it from your hands should be stopped.
4. Holding a hand with a treat over the dog’s head, gently wind it behind the head. She will invariably monitor your movement and lift her head. When the hand is far away, it will be necessary to sit down so as not to miss the feed from the view. This is the main task of this exercise. At the same time, when you start to move your hand behind the withers of the dog, calmly and confidently repeat the command several times. When the goal is reached, treat the pet with a hidden treat. You should also praise him. For many dogs, owner approval means much more than even the most beloved treat.
5. To consolidate the result, repeat the command several times. In the future, gradually train the dog to do it without your participation (the hand should remain motionless). Securing the skill will take time, but all efforts will be rewarded in the future.After mastering and honing this command, you will be sure that under any conditions and external stimuli the dog will unconditionally carry it out.

In this case, the owner literally shows the dog what is required of him. Many are afraid or do not accept this technique, thinking that in the future, without physical contact, the dog will not execute this or that command. This is not true. It is important to approach learning correctly.

Physical exposure or contact is allowed only at the time the dog is trained. But you should not repeat this action from time to time. If you accompany the pressing on the lower back of the dog with a team, after several trainings, he should understand what is required of him.

Call the dog to you. It is important that he is calm and not distracted by other objects. Make eye contact with your pet and calmly but clearly pronounce the command. With this hand, press on the lower back. Feeling this pressure, the dog will take the desired position. Praise the pet by saying encouraging words of support: “Well done!”, “Clever”, “Good.”

You can come up with your own cliches for praise. At the same time, you should not pick up new epithets every time. It will be enough 2-3 standard words. So the dog will better understand that she did everything right and the owner is pleased with her work.

To wean a dog from physical contact while executing a command, gradually release the pressure. Later, a simple touch will be enough. But this is not the ultimate goal. A standard gesture for the sit team is a raised hand. Therefore, in training, achieve just such a result. The dog has already remembered the team and clearly understands what it needs to do. But sometimes it can wait for your touch. In this case, once again clearly and more strictly repeat “Sit!”, And wait for the dog to complete the task.

In the following stages, you can teach the dog to sit exactly at the left foot or execute a command by the gesture of your hand.

During training, novice dog breeders often make mistakes. Subsequently, this can reduce all your efforts to nothing, or the desired result will not be achieved.

1. Do not give the treat immediately after the dog has taken a sitting position. In this position, she should sit for at least 5-7 seconds. In the future, this time can be increased.
2. The "Sit" command serves as a signal to start the action. But do not forget that a conditional signal is also required to complete the exercise. It can be a praise or another sign. So you will achieve that after the order to "sit" the dog will remain in place even if you stepped aside.
3. The team should be given in an even calm voice. Do not use elevated tones, screaming, aggressive or harsh notes.
4. Accustom the dog to the fact that the command is given once. After saying it, wait for completion. Repeated repetition will lead to the fact that in the future the dog will not pay attention to her and wait until you sit him down.
5. When physically exposed, the dog should not feel pain. In other words, your movements should be clearly coordinated, confident, but not cause discomfort to your pet. This will be perceived as an element of violence, not learning new things.
6. Dogs love to learn new things. Therefore, do not stop at the simplest execution of a command. Make the task harder. To do this, you can train the dog to execute the command at a distance, by gesture, with a light pull on the leash. Also, make sure that the dog is sitting in the right position for the amount of time you need.
7. The regularity of training. It is foolish to count on a positive result if you yourself do not devote enough time to the learning process. However, one lesson should not last long. But systematic is of great importance.

Training should take place in comfortable conditions. If you practice outdoors, make sure that the ground is dry. Sitting your pet on dirt, puddles or just wet ground is unacceptable.

With any method of training it is worth reducing the external impact (or the amount of goodies). As a result, the dog must learn to fulfill the command without expecting feed from you or pressing on your back. But the praise should not be canceled.

Training is best started at an early age. But an adult dog can also be trained in the right teams. Only this will require more patience and time. But absolutely all dogs can be trained. The main thing is your desire and perseverance.

For tips on training your dog to sit, see below.