How to Teach Your Dog to Sit

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“Sit” might seem like the most basic dog-training skill—because it is. The real importance of “sit” isn’t the motion itself; there is rarely a moment in your day-to-day life where it’s crucial for your dog’s bottom to meet the floor. But, because it’s so simple, “sit” serves as a training building block that creates the framework for clear communication between you and your dog. 

As Trina Vicente, the Dog Services Lead of The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, said, “[Sit] is a great bonding tool to get your dog listening and focused on you, so that you can teach other things.”

With “sit,” you build trust and start teaching your dog the “cue, response, treat, repeat” dance you’ll do over and over throughout the course of your lives together. So, with that, pull up a chair and get ready to learn all about teaching your dog to sit like a pro.

Why teaching “sit” is fundamental for every dog

When your dog knows how to sit reliably, you’re communicating clearly. It also creates a default behavior your dog can offer when they’re unsure what you want. There are practical uses as well—sometimes you’ll want your dog to sit at a crosswalk or remain still at the vet (Cues like “wait” also work for this purpose—but if your dog is sitting you have a clear signal that they’re listening to you. Again, communication!)

When should I start teaching my dog to sit?

“Sit” can be taught to dogs of almost any age, beginning with puppies as young as eight weeks. Adult dogs who have never learned commands can master “sit” quickly, too. 

According to certified dog trainer Kate Naito, the process is usually simple. “Most dogs,” she told us, “can be lured into a sit.” (More on the luring method in a moment.) 

What you need for “sit” training

Sit training requires few supplies, which adds to its allure as an accessible training exercise for new dog owners. Here’s the brief list:

  • High-value treats 
  • A quiet indoor space free from distractions

Also, your marker word.

What are marker words?

A marker word tells your dog exactly when they’ve done something right.  

“In a perfect world, I would normally ‘charge’ the marker word first—meaning that the dog learns when you say ‘yes,’ they get a treat right afterwards,” Naito explains. If you’re starting here, repeat the “Yes!”-and-treat sequence several times until your dog looks expectantly at you when they hear an excited “Yes!” 

Timing is super important: say the marker word at the exact moment your dog performs the behavior you’ve asked for.

“The butt hits the ground—that’s when you ‘Yes!’” Naito said. This precise process tells your dog exactly what earned the reward.

The process

Per Naito, Most dogs respond well to the luring technique, which uses their natural body mechanics. “I almost always use the luring method where they tilt their head back a little bit and it rocks them down into a sit,” she said. It goes like this:  

  1. Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose, letting them smell but not grab it (keep the treat close to their nose—too high, and they’ll jump).
  2. Slowly lift the treat up and slightly back over their head.
  3. As their head follows the treat upward, their bottom should naturally lower.
  4. The moment their rear touches the ground, say “Yes!” and give the treat.
  5. Let them stand up and repeat.
  6. Release them from the position after each successful repetition with a release word like “Okay!” or “Release!” This communicates that they are free to move about the cabin.

From here, gradually reduce your reliance on the treat lure. Say “sit” and make a smaller hand motion upward. If they sit, mark and reward enthusiastically. If they don’t, go back to luring for a few more repetitions. Slowly phase out the lure. 

You’ll want to keep practicing in different contexts, generally moving from indoors to outdoors. Practice in different rooms of your house; before meals or other events the dog would consider rewarding; before getting leashed; and as people come to your door. Then practice on walks and when meeting new people outside. You’re building up the contexts in which your dog might be asked to sit—so they learn to do it when they hear the cue, no matter what could be distracting them at the time.  

Troubleshooting “sit” training challenges

A dog who won’t sit completely
Some dogs, particularly those who are hand-shy or have never been trained before, may only partially respond to the lure. If this is the case for your dog, Naito recommends breaking the mechanics of the cue down into smaller parts. 

“For some dogs, their butt won’t hit the ground right away, and so I will say ‘Yes!’ and reward the dog tilting his head up a little bit, which is at least the first step towards shaping the sit,” Naito said. Reward for the head tilting and the hips lowering. When they sit all the way down, do a big treat. 

A jumping dog

If your dog jumps for the treat instead of sitting, hold the treat in your fist, closer to their nose, and move it very slowly. If they jump, start over without giving the treat.

A distracted dog

For dogs who can’t focus on the training, choose a quieter training location and train before mealtime when they’re hungry. You can also use higher-value treats.

A fearful dog

“Some dogs are hand-shy or have never learned anything before, even though they’re well into adulthood. So sometimes I need [to provide] a little extra guidance with shaping,” Naito said. In cases like these, you’ll want to start getting the dog comfortable accepting treats from your hand. Keep your hand motions slow and controlled, and build up gradually to the full luring motion. 

Teaching “sit” is about more than just getting your dog’s bottom on the ground—it’s about establishing clear communication, building your dog’s confidence, and creating a foundation for a lifetime of learning together. With consistent practice and positive reinforcement, “sit” becomes not only a command your dog knows, but also a default behavior they offer when they want to communicate with you or show you that they’re paying attention. Because when life gets chaotic, sometimes it’s good to sit down.

The post How to Teach Your Dog to Sit appeared first on The Farmer’s Dog - Digest.


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