Teaching a Puppy to Sit: The Basics

Teaching your puppy to sit is one of the first and most important commands you can introduce. It’s a simple yet effective way to start building a foundation of obedience and good behaviour.

Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

1. Get Their Attention

Before teaching your puppy to sit, make sure you have their full attention. Use their name and perhaps a treat to help them focus on you.

Keep the environment quiet and free from distractions.

2. Use a Treat as Guidance

Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose, and slowly move it upwards and slightly backwards over their head.

As they follow the treat with their nose, they will naturally lower their bottom to the ground.

3. Say “Sit”

Just as your puppy’s bottom touches the ground, say the word “sit” in a clear and calm voice.

Timing is important here, as you want your puppy to associate the command with the action.

4. Reward Immediately

Once your puppy is sitting, reward them straight away with the treat and plenty of praise. This reinforces the behaviour and helps your puppy understand that sitting when asked leads to positive outcomes.

5. Repeat and Practice

Repetition is key. Practice this several times a day, but keep sessions short to avoid overwhelming your puppy. Over time, they’ll sit on command even without the need for treats.

6. Be Patient and Consistent

Puppies are full of energy and can get easily distracted, so be patient. Consistency is important, so use the same word and reward every time they sit correctly.

Teaching your puppy to sit is a simple yet essential step in their training.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, they’ll quickly learn this basic command, setting the stage for more advanced training.

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