How can I get my dog to sit?

Question

I have been working on this trick for about 4 days now. At some times, he is great and will follow my command. But sometimes, he just does not want to listen!!!!!!! How can I het him to?

Answer 1

When you are training a dog, there are certain things you need to do to show your dog that it is time to train, not play, and that he/she should pay attention.
1. use a "working" collar and leash.
Only put these on when you are training your dog. This is important. Your dog will be more likely to pay attention if you do this.

2. Your attitude is very important. No nonsense attitude, like a teacher has. Don't play around during training.

3. Use a direct method to train your dog. First show your dog what action you want. Then say the command and use the sign you want him/her to learn with the action. After the dog performs the action, praise the dog both verbally(Good boy/girl!) and physically (a pat on the head or neck while you bend down with your face close works best). Reinforce this successful exchange by repeating the process at least three times during the training period before moving onto the next action.

When I train my dogs, I start them off as pups of about three months old, in the backyard. The first thing I teach my dog is to COME, by putting a long lead (about 15 feet) and gently pulling the pup to me while saying the dog's name and COME command. When the pup starts coming, I add my visual command to it. If you will use both a verbal and visual command, your dog is more likely to be more attentive with you. The praise at the end of performance is very important. It is the reward for doing your bidding.

SIT is the second thing I teach my dogs. The visual command I use for this is putting my right forefinger in front of my nose while looking at my dog. This is very effective and helpful later on when training the dog to stop barking. You see, dogs tend to need to stand up when they bark. If you put your fingur up as if to go into a shhhhhhh sign, he is going to immediately sit and stop barking.

DOWN is the next command I teach. The visual sign I use is my right hand held out perpindicular to my body, palm down. My dogs, when trained on this one will immediately drop down even in the middle of a dead run.

STAY is next. I take the visual sign from DOWN and just lift up my hand where my palm is facing the dog. It looks like a stop sign to anyone else, but it tells the dog to freeze where he is until I give the release signal, which is verbally the COME and the sign for that is bringing my right hand to my thigh, palm down.

These are the basics. I usually train my pups for about 15 to 20 minutes each session, two times a day at first. Each dog is different in their attention span, so you just have to watch for when the concentration level starts to drop.

You don't want to make the training sessions too long or emotional or unpleasant. You want this to be quality time set aside for just the two of you. This will assure that your bond is strong, your communication between you clear, and leave no doubt in your dog's mind that you are THE BOSS.

Depending on how far you want to take the training, you can also teach your dog commands like GO, SPEAK, SHAKE, ROLL OVER, UP, HEEL, LEFT, RIGHT, and the list can go on. Whatever you teach your dog, keep in mind that the action should not encourage bad behavior, otherwise you are going to have a problem later on. For example, teaching your dog the UP command to jump up on the dining room table could have negative impact later. That is an obvious example of course. Another example is this: Alot of people think it is cute to teach the dog the SPEAK command. I avoid teaching this command because I can't see any reason for it. It may confuse the dog later on. Most dogs use barking as a method to alert their masters of an invasion of his territory, or as a mechanism showing he is anxious or frightened. Some dogs who are neglected use barking as a way to show boredom. I am sure you have been around a dog who has developed the bad habit of barking just for barking sake. Very annoying.

Just remember you are responsible for your dog's actions. Be sure to have alot of play time AFTER training time. Take off the training collar and leash and play play play.
Have fun!

Answer 2

Stand by the side of his head with the treat in your hand. Slowly raise the treat upward and his head should follow it, hopefully far enough so that he sits. When you see his rear end going down, say "sit" and when his butt hits the floor, pop the goodie into his mouth immediately. If he seems confused you can crouch by his side, using the same technique. When his head is far up, lightly take a finger or two and gently put some pressure on his rear end. When he sits, once again IMMEDIATELY pop the treat into his mouth. Don't yell at any point. Praise as you give him the treat, but don't go overboard with it; a "good dog" is fine. Don't expect him to retain this from a few days of teaching, and don't teach 'sit' for too long at once. Like a child, he needs constant reminding and in small amounts. Five minutes three times a day. After a while, cut out a treat every so often but continue to praise. Someday he'll sit without even expecting a treat, or even a "good boy". He'll be sitting because he's pleased you. Good luck.

Answer 3

Lots of dogs get distracted easily... make sure that wherever you are asking your dog to do it is not surrounded by lots of noise, or the aroma of food. What I do with my dogs is every morning before I go to school, I give each of them a treat, but only after they sit. After a while, they learn to sit even before I take the treat out. Eventually they figure out that when I say "sit" they should sit. Try that! And also, 4 days is not that long of a time. Some dogs learn very quickly, but some are slower than others. Dont be discouraged if your dog can't sit yet. And make sure that you offer lots of praise when he does sit!

Answer 4

make sure there r absolutely no distractions around at the beginning of training. have plenty of treats around but dont let ur dog get a hold of them unless hes done something good. once he hasd mastered the trick, bring in some distractions, and try the trick there. ur dog needs to be able to the the trick, distracrions or not.

Answer 5

Hold your hand just above his nose, and put your knee gently into his chest, he will automatically sit down, when he stays for a moment or two,offer a treat, only if he stays in the sitting position.

Answer 6

check it out: take a treat, hold it over his nose in a position he´ll have to sit down then, then say "sit". (took my dogs a few days to learn but it works 100% now)

(don´t forget to use your fingers when commanding, it´ll help you to have controll over him even from a distance.

Answer 7

have a treat ready in your pocket - stand in front of the dog - say 'sit' and if he/she doesn't respond push down on her back side a little (perhaps hard) and when the dog sits PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE and give it the treat - do this often and you should have luck

Answer 8

Don't yell, make sure the sessions are short, be understanding, make sure he gets a treat and be patient.

Answer 9

Offer him treats for a job well done.