Sit. It’s a fundamental command, often one of the first taught to puppies. Yet, many dog guardians find themselves repeating “sit” with increasing frustration as their excited pup struggles to comply. We often rush through this seemingly simple behavior, eager to move on to more complex tricks. However, mastering the sit command is crucial for a dog’s good behavior and can be incredibly rewarding. The ultimate goal is for your dog to respond to the cue “sit” instantly and reliably, remaining in position until released.
If your dog already appears to know “sit,” take a moment to truly assess their understanding. Stand tall with your arms at your sides. Get your dog’s attention and, without any body movement, calmly say “sit” just once. Wait. If your dog sits, acknowledge their success! If not, it simply indicates an opportunity for more focused training. Consider what happens after they sit: Do they immediately pop back up? Are you constantly saying “wait” or “stay”? Can you take a step back, or even walk around them? How does your dog know it’s permissible to move? These are important considerations for even the most basic command. For instance, when I first tried this, I realized one of my dogs is highly responsive to visual cues and body language, but less so to verbal commands alone when I stood completely still. This simple exercise highlighted her preferred learning style.
The “sit” command is frequently undervalued and underutilized, yet it’s worth the investment in proper training.
Training a Reliable Sit
Even if your dog seems to know “sit,” it’s beneficial to reinforce the steps. Experienced dogs and handlers may progress faster, but skipping steps is not recommended.
Step 1: Luring the Sit
Prepare a treat, holding it between your thumb and index finger. Your dog should be able to smell the treat but not snatch it.
- Get your dog’s attention and allow them a small taste of the treat. Once they are engaged, begin the lure.
- With your treat-holding finger near your dog’s nose, move your hand in a slight arc over their head, towards their tail. Imagine a string connecting their nose to your fingers; their natural inclination will be to follow the treat, causing their rear to lower into a sit.
- The moment your dog’s bottom touches the ground, mark the behavior with a verbal cue like “yes” or a clicker, followed by a small piece of the treat and praise.
- Release your dog before they break the sit. Using a release cue like “OK” and tossing a treat to the side helps them understand when they are allowed to move, and also aids in building duration.
Next Steps: Fading the Lure
- Once your dog consistently follows the lure, begin phasing out the treat as a lure, instead using the hand motion with an empty hand.
- Continue using the finger shape and hand movement as a visual cue to guide them into position.
- Mark and reward the instant their bottom hits the floor.
- Use your release cue and toss a treat.
Final Step: Adding the Verbal Cue
- Introduce the verbal cue “Sit,” pausing for about one second.
- Follow with the visual cue; they should now sit in response.
- Mark and reward the sit.
- Use your release cue.
- Soon, your dog will anticipate the verbal cue “Sit,” understanding it means to put their bottom on the floor, allowing you to eventually drop the visual cue entirely.
Mastering Duration, Distance, and Distractions (The 3 D’s)
Once the basic sit is established, it’s time to introduce the “3 D’s”: Duration, Distance, and Distraction.
- Duration: Start by asking for a sit and waiting for two seconds before releasing. Gradually increase this to four seconds, and so on, working up to a minute or more. If your dog struggles at any point, go back to a shorter duration.
- Distance: Ask for a sit, then take one step back. Return to your dog and release. Gradually increase the distance. If your dog breaks the sit, return to the previous step and ask for the sit again, potentially lowering your criteria.
- Distraction: This can involve various stimuli like wiggling your fingers, waving your arms, having someone walk by, gently touching your dog, or practicing in different environments such as the garden, the street, or during walks.
Practical Applications of the Sit Command
The “sit” command is incredibly useful in numerous everyday situations:
- A dog cannot jump on people if they are sitting.
- A dog cannot bolt out of the house or jump out of a car if they are sitting.
- A dog cannot knock over a small child if asked to sit instead.
- A dog cannot pull on the leash while you’re conversing with a friend if they are sitting.
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 my training worksheet, please email me at info@bark-ology.co.uk for your free copy. Join my free training group @barkologytraininggroup to share your training videos and ask questions. Good luck!
