How to train your dog to sit
Our guide will help you train your pooch in this essential skill.
Teaching your dog to sit will help to keep them safe when you’re out and about. It can be used when meeting people, before crossing a road or in a queue.
It is also a polite behaviour that is a good starting point for a number of exercises.
Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when teaching your pup to sit.
If you need a hand teaching your pup basic commands and developing a stronger bond in the process, contact our free Behaviour Support Line for tailored advice.
Teach your dog to sit
Step one
Stand in front of your pooch and show them you have a treat in your hand.
Step two
Move the treat from the end of your pup’s nose and over their head.
Step three
As their head follows the treat, their bottom should touch the floor. Mark and reward them when this happens.
Step four
Once your pooch has the hang of this, repeat the above steps but without the treat in your hand. Remember to still mark and reward when they sit on the floor though.
Step five
When your pup is reliably sitting, you can introduce your verbal cue. Say “sit”, then use your hand gesture. Mark when their bottom is on the floor and reward them.
Step six
Over time your pup will begin to sit as soon as they hear the word.
If your dog is taking some time to learn, don’t push their bottom down. Simply continue the above until they get the hang of it. Also, avoid saying “sit down” as they may get confused once you move onto the next cue.
Now your pooch knows how to sit, why not teach them to lie down too and check out our top 10 tips to help ensure your training is a success.
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