How to Teach a Stubborn Dog to Sit down

Sitting is an important basic task when it comes to dog discipline. Without knowing how to sit, your dog will have a hard time learning how to stay, how to beg, and much more. Luckily, if you're having a hard time getting a disobedient dog to master this trick, all you need to do is follow one of a few different methods that are useful for getting a dog to sit down. Repeat this practice consistently until your dog learns the skill. Method 1 The "Watch and Wait" Method Wait until the dog sits down on his own.. When you have some free time, grab a small treat and follow your dog around for a few minutes. Don't try to attract his attention or play with him. You just want to watch him while he does whatever he would be doing anyway. Reward him as soon as he sits.. Keep a careful eye on your dog without disturbing him. As soon as you notice him get into the "sit" position on his own, praise him and give him a small chunk of the treat. Tell him "sit" or "sit down" in a commanding voice (but not a harsh one). After this, leave the dog alone, but continue to watch him. You want to come across as affectionate here, not startling. Speak loudly enough to get your dog's attention, but not loudly enough to shock him out of his sitting position. Keep practicing.. Continue to watch your dog. As soon as he sits again, offer him another piece of the treat, praise him, and give the "sit" command. Repeat this process each time your dog sits on his own. Use short practice sessions - 5-10 minutes should be long enough. Don't continue for longer, otherwise he will associate "Sit" (and treats) with boredom. Repeat this every day for a week. Eventually, try using the "sit" command on its own.. Over time, the dog will start to associate the sitting position with receiving praise and treats. After about a week of practice, try getting your dog's attention and giving the "sit" command. If he responds correctly, praise him and give him a piece of a treat. Now, you can start practicing the command itself. If your dog hasn't learned the command yet, keep practicing. Some dogs take longer than others to learn new tricks. Method 2 The "Encouragement" Method Get your dog to focus on a treat in your hand.. Using treats, you can lure the dog into the "sit" position easily. Start by holding a treat in your hand. Move it in front of the dog's nose for her to smell, but don't let her have it. You should get your dog's attention quickly. Hold the treat above your dog's head.. Once you have her attention, slowly bring the treat up over her head. Her nose should follow the treat. As you move higher and higher, the dog will have a harder time following the treat. Eventually, she'll need to sit down to keep her nose on it. Give the "sit" command.. Before your dog sits, ask her to "sit" in a clear, commanding tone. Do this every time you practice the command, so that your dog will associate the verbal cue with the act of sitting. Reward the dog as soon as she sits.. Your dog should eventually sit down as the treat goes over her head. At this point, you should give her the treat and praise her with affection. To continue practicing, let your dog lose interest, then repeat the process again. Practice for 5-10 minutes at a time for at least a week or so. Method 3 More Training Ideas For best results, practice in a wide variety of situations.. Dogs are easily distracted by new places and situations. If your dog learns how to do the "sit" command perfectly alone in your kitchen, you may not be able to count on her to do it when she's at the park with her canine companions. Teach your dog to sit in many different environments to ensure that you can always count on her to obey you when it counts. You may want to make the command part of your daily routine. For example, you can try doing it when you put her leash on, before going through doorways together, before she is fed, before you throw a ball, when she's around other dogs, or whenever else you think it's suitable. Be open to rewards besides treats.. You don't have to feed your dog treats to reward her for good behavior. Almost anything that your dog likes can be used as an incentive, so don't be afraid to get creative! The main goal is to have your dog associate sitting with positive feelings - this doesn't necessarily have to mean food. A few more ideas you may want to consider include: Play time A favorite toy Love, affection, and petting Encouraging, praising words Make sitting a prerequisite for things the dog likes.. Once your dog is good at sitting, you can make your life as a dog owner easier by teaching him to sit to get what he wants. Make it a habit to command your dog to sit for his food, to get his leash put on, to get let out to go to the bathroom, and so on. As long as you are consistent, your dog should eventually learn that the best way to get these things is to sit and be quiet - not to bark, beg, and bother you! Thank you for watching!