What Happens When You Tell Your Dog “Sit”? – Part 2

What Happens When You Tell Your Dog “Sit”? – Part 2

The other day we were talking about your dog and the sit command.  Go here for that discussion.

Have you thought about what I was saying?

Your dog does sit some of the time.  Once in the Sit command, he probably nevers remain in the Sit command until you release him.  This happens for two reasons.

1. You haven’t taught him that the command means to hold it as long as you want him to hold it.
2. You aren’t his leader.

We are going to start to change that right now.

Next time you tell your dog to Sit, do it with a collar and leash on. Do not hold the leash tightly.  Hold it loosely so that you are not choking him.

• Tell him to Sit.
• Praise him immediately when he does.
• Have him stay (do not tell him to stay) in the Sit command for 15-30 seconds.  This will seem like an eternity.
• If he starts to get up.  Tell him No and repeat the Sit command.  Make him Sit if he resists.  Give him light Praise when he does Sit.
• Hold for 15-30 seconds again.
• Continue until he holds it for the full 15-30 seconds.  Give him a release command such as Break and Praise him.

That’s it for now.  Continue to give the command.  Make him Sit and Praise him for doing it.  Always give more Praise if he does it right the first time.  If you have to make him Sit, give him Praise when he does do it.  Just not as much as if he did it right the first time.

Once he is holding it for 15-30 seconds, increase the time gradually until he is holding it for a couple of minutes only.

Start to move around him no further than the length of the leash and Praise him if he holds it.  Immediately, put him back into the Sit if he breaks it.
From this point on, never give him the Sit command unless you can make him do it if he doesn’t.  That is good for both on-leash and off-leash.  Of course, I wouldn’t tell him to do it off-leash until he is automatic on-leash.

Notice I am telling you to Praise him.  He doesn’t need treats to do this.  Praise from you is reward enough.

Also, when you have to make him Sit.  Do not punish or choke him or get mad.  Calmly put him back into the Sit.  Then Praise him.

I would love some feedback.

If you run in to any aggression,stop what you are doing and call a professional trainer immediately!