How To Teach ‘Sit’ Like A Pro -- No More Begging! | Live Dog Demos, by Cesar Millan on YouTube. 10 min 33 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 33 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Calm yourself before you start. Take a breath and move slowly. Dogs pick up on your energy, so a hyper owner makes a hyper dog that will not listen.
Stand still and let your dog settle. Do not wave your arms or call the dog in a high, excited voice. Wait until the jumping and barking stop.
Hold a small treat just above your dog's nose. Move it slowly back over the head toward the tail so the nose follows up and the back end drops.
The moment the back end touches the floor, say the word sit once in a calm, low voice. Do not repeat it over and over.
Give the treat right away and praise quietly. Timing matters, so reward within a second or two of the sit.
Release the dog with a short word like okay and let it move. Repeat the sequence five to ten times, then take a break.
Practice the same move when someone comes to the door. Ask your guest to stand still and quiet while you give the hand signal and the dog sits before any greeting.
Fade the treat over several days. Use the hand signal first, reward only sometimes, and keep the calm tone every time.
Tips and common mistakes
Never push your dog's back end down with your hand, since that builds resistance instead of understanding.
Say the cue word only once. Repeating sit, sit, sit teaches the dog to ignore the word.
Keep sessions short and end while the dog is still succeeding, so training stays positive.
If your dog jumps up at visitors, turn away and wait for all four paws on the floor before you give attention.
Questions
How long does it take for a puppy to learn sit?
Most puppies pick up the hand motion in a few short sessions over a week or two. Keep practice to five minutes at a time and repeat daily.
What if my dog ignores the treat and keeps jumping?
Stop the session and wait for calm. A tired or over excited dog cannot focus, so try again after a walk or in a quieter room.
Should I use a clicker?
You can. Click the moment the back end touches the floor, then treat. The click marks the exact moment, which can speed up learning.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
