Train Your Dog How to Sit, by Joshua Guime on YouTube. 7 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a quiet spot with few distractions and cut treats into small pea-sized pieces so your dog stays interested but not full.
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose and slowly move it up and slightly back over the head. The nose follows up and the back end lowers.
The moment the back end touches the floor, say yes and give the treat. Do not push the dog down with your hand.
Repeat the lure five to ten times, then pause and let the dog offer the sit on its own before rewarding.
Once the dog sits reliably for the lure, say the word sit just before you move the treat. Keep the word short and the same each time.
Reward every correct sit with a treat and calm praise. Practise in short sessions of two to five minutes, a few times a day.
When the dog sits on the word alone, fade the treat lure and reward from your pocket or a nearby table instead of your hand.
Add distractions slowly: another room, the garden, then a quiet walk. Go back a step if the dog stops responding.
Tips and common mistakes
Never hold the treat so high that the dog jumps up, and never press on the back to force a sit.
Keep sessions short and end while the dog is still succeeding, so training stays fun.
Reward every time at first, then switch to treats some of the time once the cue is solid.
If your dog has pain or trouble sitting, check with a vet before training.
Questions
How long does it take a puppy to learn to sit?
Many puppies pick up the lure within a few short sessions, but reliable response on the word can take a week or more of daily practice. Keep sessions to a few minutes.
Should I use a clicker?
A clicker is optional. If you use one, click the instant the dog sits and then give the treat, so the click marks the exact moment.
What if my dog only sits when it sees a treat?
Hide the treat in your pocket or on a table and reward after the sit. Slowly make the treat less visible so the word, not the food, becomes the signal.
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.
