How to Teach Your Dog to Sit: Sit, Reward, Repeat, by CareCredit on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a quiet room with few distractions and have a handful of small, soft treats ready in one hand.
Stand or kneel in front of your dog so it is facing you and can see the treat.
Hold a treat just in front of your dog's nose, then slowly raise it up and slightly back over the nose line.
As the dog's head follows the treat up, its rear should lower to the floor. Wait for the full sit.
The moment the dog sits, say "sit" once and give the treat right away.
Release the dog with a word like "okay" or "free" so it learns the sit ends when you say so.
Repeat the lure and reward several times in a row, then take a short break.
Once the dog sits reliably, reward every three to five seconds while it holds the position.
Add small distractions, such as stepping back or having someone walk past, and reward the dog for staying seated.
Fade the lure over time by using an empty hand gesture, then reward from your pocket.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep sessions short, around one to two minutes, so your dog stays focused and does not get bored.
Reward the sit the instant it happens, since a late treat teaches the wrong behaviour.
Never push your dog's rear down, as luring works better and keeps training positive.
Practise in different rooms and outside once the dog is reliable indoors.
Questions
How long does it take to teach a dog to sit?
Many dogs pick up the lure within a few short sessions over a day or two. Reliable sitting around distractions can take a few weeks of regular practice.
What if my dog jumps up for the treat instead of sitting?
Hold the treat closer to the nose and move it more slowly. If the dog keeps jumping, wait for all four paws on the floor before trying again.
Should I use a clicker?
A clicker is optional. If you use one, click the moment the dog sits, then give the treat, so the click marks the right behaviour.
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.
