Austin Dog Boarding

Sit is my most favorite command and it's the easiest one to teach a dog.  Why do I love it so much? Because it can "fix" one of the most unwanted behaviors – A dog can’t jump if they’re sitting and the dog just learned a new command!  

It takes about 250 repetitions of the dog performing a command correctly and being rewarded with a jackpot treat like bits of cheese or hot dogs, something they normally do not get, for them to learn the command.  But don’t let the numbers discourage you!  By practicing with your dog for 5 minutes a day, 15 successful reps a day, you can have a dog that sits like a champ in two weeks or less!  It’s easily done by integrating it in to your every day task such as during commercial breaks, while you’re waiting for the coffee to brew or folding laundry.

Once your dog learns to sit inside your home, then it’s time to move to the yard. Once they master the command there, then it time to move on to other locations, gradually introducing distractions such as asking them to sit while on walks, around other dogs, people, children,  joggers, etc.  Remember not to rush the process.  If you move forward and you are not getting the desired response, take a few steps back and start over.  Depending on the dog, they may only need 25-50 successful repetitions in each new location with each new distraction to develop a sit any dog will be proud to show off!

So the next time you ask your dog to sit, ask yourself… Have you introduced the behavior in a clear, hands off (no pushing the rump or tugging on a leash) by luring the dog into position?   Are you giving timely feedback by marking the behavior (CLICK!/YES!)   Are you offering a jackpot reward for performing correctly? Are you practicing every day?  Is it a new environment?  New distraction?

By teaching your dog to sit, you have not only taught him a new command, but you have also just given yourself a tool to correct a problem behavior!