Teaching your dog to sit is often considered one of the most fundamental and, perhaps, simplest commands. However, many dog guardians find themselves struggling with this basic behavior, often resorting to increasingly loud and exasperated commands directed at an over-excited or confused canine. This common scenario highlights a missed opportunity to solidify a crucial behavior that forms the foundation for more complex training. The ultimate goal is for a dog to become “unconsciously competent” – to sit automatically upon hearing the command, without hesitation, and to remain in that position until released.
Why the “Sit” Command Can Be Tricky
The perceived simplicity of the “sit” command often leads guardians to gloss over the finer points of training. Many don’t dedicate enough time to teaching a proper release cue or incrementally adding duration, distance, and distractions – the “3 D’s” – that are essential for solidifying any command. Without this, it’s unrealistic to expect a dog to sit reliably in all situations.
Consider this quick exercise: Stand with your back straight and hands by your sides. Get your dog’s attention and calmly say “sit” just once, without any physical cues. Observe your dog’s reaction. If they sit, acknowledge this success, but also consider if they immediately get up. Are you constantly saying “wait” or “stay”? Can you take a step back or walk around your dog? Do they understand when it’s permissible to move? These questions reveal the nuances of a seemingly basic command. This exercise can even highlight individual training needs, as some dogs respond better to visual cues than verbal ones.
Despite being undervalued, mastering the “sit” command is incredibly worthwhile. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding and refine this essential skill, read on.
Step-by-Step Guide to Training a Perfect Sit
Even if your dog appears to know how to sit, revisiting the foundational steps can strengthen the behavior. Experienced dogs and guardians may progress faster, but it’s advisable to follow each stage diligently.
Step 1: The Lure
- Preparation: Hold a treat between your thumb and index finger. Your dog should be able to smell it but not snatch it. Get your dog’s attention and give them a small taste of the treat to ensure their engagement.
- The Movement: With your treat-holding finger near your dog’s nose, move your hand in a slight arc backward, over their head towards their tail. Imagine a string connecting their nose to your fingers. As their nose and eyes follow the treat, their rear end will naturally lower into a sit.
- Mark and Reward: The moment your dog’s bottom touches the ground, mark the behavior with a verbal cue like “yes” or a clicker, followed immediately by the treat and praise.
- Release: Before your dog breaks the sit, use a release cue, such as “OK,” and toss a small piece of the treat to the side. This also begins building duration by teaching them to wait for the release.
Next Steps: Fading the Lure
- Once the behavior is consistently mastered, begin to drop the treat as a lure, relying more on the visual cue of your hand movement.
- Continue to use the finger shape and hand motion to guide your dog into position.
- Mark the instant their bottom hits the floor, pause briefly, and then reward.
- Use your release cue and toss a treat away from them.
Final Step: Adding the Verbal Cue
- Introduce the verbal cue “Sit” and pause for about one second.
- Follow with the visual cue; your dog should now sit.
- Mark the sit, pause, and reward.
- Use your release cue and toss a treat.
- Soon, your dog will anticipate that “Sit” means to put their bottom on the floor, and you can gradually phase out the visual cue.
Mastering the “3 D’s”: Duration, Distance, and Distraction
Once your dog reliably responds to the verbal cue, it’s time to build upon this foundation by introducing the “3 D’s”:
- Duration: Start by asking for a sit and waiting for 2 seconds before releasing, gradually increasing to 4 seconds, and so on, until your dog can comfortably hold a sit for one minute. If your dog struggles at any point, go back to a shorter duration. If they don’t respond to the verbal cue, revert to the visual cue. Remember, they aren’t being stubborn; they simply need more practice.
- Distance: Ask for a sit, then take one step back. Step back towards your dog and release. Gradually increase the distance. If your dog breaks the sit, go back to the previous step and reduce the criteria.
- Distraction: Introduce distractions incrementally. This can range from wiggling your fingers or waving your arms, to having someone walk by, touching your dog, practicing in the garden, on the street, or during off-leash walks.
Everyday Benefits of a Solid “Sit”
A well-trained “sit” command offers numerous practical advantages in daily life:
- A sitting dog cannot jump up on people.
- A sitting dog is less likely to bolt out of the house or car.
- Asking your dog to sit can prevent them from knocking over small children.
- A dog in a sit position won’t pull on the leash while you’re engaged in conversation.
Remember to train using a portion of your dog’s daily food allowance, keep training sessions short and frequent, and most importantly, make it fun! If you’d like a copy of a training worksheet, you can email info@bark-ology.co.uk for a free copy. You can also join the free training group @barkologytraininggroup to share your training videos and questions. Good luck!
