Teaching your dog to sit - Lesson One

Before we get our dogs to sit, we must remember a few things...

1. If we cant get our dogs to sit next to us they are not going to sit away from us.
2. Only use the 'SIT' command once before helping the dog into the position
3. Once the dog is in the position praise 'GOOD SIT'
4. Then break off with 'OK' and play with your dog on the floor.
5. We build the SIT in 3 days, Duration, Distance and Distraction in that order

Now, Teaching your dog to sit

Step one  - Getting a sit beside us.

Imagine every time you stop your dog drops into a sit on your left facing in the same direction as you waiting for further instruction ! It can happen, and this is how we start...

With the dog on lead and on our left hand side, simply elevate the dogs head by gently raising the lead attached to the dogs collar using your right hand, and with your left hand on the dogs shoulders, gently run your hand down towards the tail applying a small amount of pressure as you go.

Once the dog has sat, praise 'GOOD SIT'

Then tell your dog 'OK' and play with it and its toy.

Do not run before you can walk, build a reliable sit beside you, then increase the duration of the sit the dog does before telling it 'OK' and playing with it.

Only when you have a reliable sit beside you for a good few minutes should you start to increase your distance from them.

Practise Step 1 for 7 days and get ready for step 2