{"id":31501,"date":"2021-11-27T07:51:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-27T15:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/?p=31501"},"modified":"2023-11-02T17:41:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T00:41:10","slug":"how-to-teach-your-puppy-to-sit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/how-to-teach-your-puppy-to-sit\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Teach Your Puppy To “Sit”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting a new puppy is so exciting. But you need to teach him what you mean and the rules<\/a> of the house. In addition to learning his name, one of the first behaviors most people teach their puppy is how to sit on command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you teach your puppy to sit? There are various ways to teach your puppy to sit. In this article, I\u2019ll explain what they are and how to perform them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an obedience trainer, I\u2019ve successfully taught many puppies and adult dogs to sit on cue<\/a>. Sitting is a great behavior that can be used to help a dog have impulse control.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Teaching<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll explain why the sit command is so important<\/a> and the many different settings that it can be used in. I\u2019ll also describe ways to get your puppy to sit on cue. And I\u2019ll cover why a pup may not want to sit and what to do about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons Why Teaching a Dog To Sit is So Important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teaching a dog to sit seems so basic at first look. But a puppy who sits on cue or as a default behavior can participate in more activities and be welcome many more places than one who doesn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppies who jump on people, rush out of doors, or dart into the street usually aren’t welcome in many places. And their behavior can be unsafe for themselves and others around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So teaching a dog to sit can improve a puppy\u2019s life. He can go more places, meet more people, and generally have more freedom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching a puppy to have some impulse control by teaching him to sit can help him learn to behave calmly even in stimulating environments and situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Situations When a Dog Should Sit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you teach your puppy to sit on cue, if you\u2019re consistent, eventually he\u2019ll sit on his own in those situations. Eventually, he\u2019ll naturally sit to get the rewards he desires. This default sit is what we aim for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll discuss below how to get your puppy to sit. After he knows how to sit on cue<\/em>, you can start to use that command in many important situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend that people have their puppy sit before feeding him. This helps teach him impulse control in an exciting setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are also a leader in a positive way. And, practically speaking, he won\u2019t knock the bowl of his food out of your hand and you won\u2019t have a big mess to clean up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your puppy can sit on cue, you can have him sit before exiting your home and before crossing the street. Having him sit on cue during these types of situations is really a safety issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that it\u2019s important for a puppy to sit and stay about five feet back from an opened door before exiting. Then, you would give him a cue when to walk through, such as \u201cheel\u201d or \u201clet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By learning to sit far back from the door, your puppy won\u2019t be at risk of dashing out the door and potentially getting lost, hit by a car or stolen. These are horrible situations that can be avoided by teaching what seems at first to be a simple command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having your puppy sit before crossing the street also helps him not dash out and potentially get injured. It\u2019s important to use your sit command in other everyday situations. Have your puppy sit whenever you stop walking on your excursions with him in the neighborhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a dog is under control, your walks are so much more pleasant. And, because they are so much more enjoyable, you\u2019re more likely to take your puppy on longer and more frequent walks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it\u2019s a win-win! Your puppy gets more exercise, socialization, and time bonding with you. And you get more exercise and fun with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have him sit before putting his harness or collar and leash on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you teach your puppy to do a default sit where he naturally sits every time someone approaches, he won\u2019t jump up on people. And more of your friends will want to interact with him–and you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you take him on walks or fun excursions to the pet store, more people will come to pet him. I\u2019ve made many friends when taking my dogs out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are naturally drawn to a well-behaved puppy. So, when people came up to my group of dogs and they sat, people would give them a lot of attention and pet them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is something you can practice with your puppy when you<\/em> greet him. Instead of jumping all over you when you arrive home, work on having him do a default sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRO-TRAINER TIP:<\/strong> Before practicing with your puppy, make sure that he\u2019s had enough exercise to be able to settle down and work. If he has too much energy, he won\u2019t be able to sit or hold a sit-stay. In training, it\u2019s important to set our dogs up to be successful.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another bonus of a puppy learning that he gets rewarded for sitting is that he\u2019ll come to you and offer to sit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppies are smart. He\u2019ll learn that he gets what he<\/em> wants when he sits. So if he wants to play, teach him that he has to sit before playing. Then, the next time he plays, he may offer a sit behavior without your verbal cue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I taught my Aussie mix Millie to sit before she wants something. She has a lot of excess energy and needed some impulse control and exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So she learned to sit before she plays ball before she plays games like tug and before she is fed. It really helped her get self-control in other situations too,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mechanics: How To Teach Your Dog To Sit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As is true of most dog training exercises, there\u2019s more than one way to teach a puppy to sit. Dogs are individuals and they learn things in different ways and at various speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luring Into a Sit From a Stand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One way is to lure your puppy into position. You would do the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n