How to teach a dog to sit?

The "Sit!" Command is in any basic course of dog training. It seems that teaching a dog what it can do by nature is senseless. But the importance of this skill is very high. The team develops the pet such important qualities as obedience, endurance and attentiveness. On the other hand, it can make life and owner much easier when it will be necessary to quickly calm the playing dog.

Many dog ​​breeders have a question about the age at which the dog is able to perceive commands and clearly fulfill the requirements. Some people postpone this process for a later period, others almost from one month of age try to train the puppy in different teams.

Canine experts say that the learning process for the Sit team is best to start no later than three months old.

It is worth noting that Many dog ​​breeders begin training much earlier. And it brings positive results. By the time of the onset of rigorous training, the dog already understands what is wanted of it and how to react. However, don't forget that up to the age of 3 months, the entire training process should take place in the form of a game. So you will develop in the puppy interest and love to practice. If you act with aggressive methods, then the dog will develop a negative view of all the activities, and the process will go much slower and more difficult.

Puppies are trained in new teams using feed. This is the most effective and pleasant way for them at this age. Mechanical impact is better left for later periods, when the priority of the dog will be the praise of the owner.

There are two main ways to teach a dog to sit at home. It is mechanical and with feed. In the first case, the owner himself shows the pet what he wants from him. Clicking on the lower back, he forces the dog to sit down.

In the second case, only the voice command or hand gesture is used. A common gesture is an arm bent at the elbow, pointing upwards, with the palm open. It may seem that the second method is more complex.

Both the first and second methods have their pros and cons. Moreover, in many ways the method of training depends on the temperament and breed of dog. If one and the other variant can be applied to Labradors, then in the Doberman training, it is better to use the supplement option, since these dogs react negatively to the physical impact.

There is a third (combined) way of teaching the team. This is when the trainer himself sits the dog in the desired position by pressing the sacrum, but it does not forget to give sweets after the performance. This option is often used in the initial stages of training.

Sometimes even those dogs that already know this command refuse to carry it out. The reason for this can be an active game with other animals, interest in a new place or object. You must ensure that your pet clearly follows your voice commands, even being at a distance from you.In this case, you can also resort to various methods.

For example, if you trained a dog with food, but at a distance he does not obey, you can approach the dog and once again make a strict statement. Strongly played dog can be calmed down and seated with the help of his palm.

This method is suitable for puppies and adult dogs. Its main advantage is that the trainer does not touch the dog when learning and practicing new skills.

To make the dog more eager to carry out the commands and wait for the deserved reward, do not feed him before the start of classes. The best thing, if the last meal will be 5-7 hours (depending on the breed and age) before training.

So, here are the main stages of the lesson.

1. For starters podzovite dog to yourself. This should be done in a calm, confident tone. It should not be heard notes of aggression and irritation, but also special delight and joy in intonations should be avoided.
2. When the puppy comes up to your call, stand up so that he is near the left leg.
3. Hold the treat in a fist and bring it to the nose of the pet. In this case, all attempts to snatch it from your hands should be stopped.
4. Holding a hand with a treat over the dog's head, smoothly move it over the head. She will always follow your movement and close her head. When the hand is far away, she will need to sit down so as not to lose sight of the food. This is the main task of this exercise. At the same time, when you begin to withdraw your hand behind the dog's withers, calmly and confidently repeat the command several times. When the goal is achieved, treat your pet hidden delicacy. You should also praise him. For many dogs, the approval of the owner means much more than even the most beloved delicacy.
5. To fix the result, repeat the command several times. In the future, gradually accustom the dog to ensure that it performs without your participation (the hand must remain motionless). Consolidating skills will take time, but all efforts will be rewarded in the future. After all, having mastered and perfected this command, you will be sure that under any conditions and external stimuli the dog will unquestioningly carry it out.

In this case, the owner literally shows the dog what is required of him. Many are afraid or do not accept this technique, thinking that in the future without physical contact the dog will not carry out this or that command. This is not true. It is important to approach learning correctly.

Physical impact or contact is allowed only at the time of training the dog. But you should not repeat this action from time to time. If you accompany the team to press the dog's loins, after a few workouts, he must understand what is required of him.

Call the dog to you. It is important that he was calm and not distracted by other objects.. Make eye contact with your pet and calmly but clearly pronounce the command. At the same time hand press on the lower back. Feeling such pressure, the dog will take the desired position. Praise the pet by saying encouraging words of support "Well done!", "Good girl", "Good."

You can come up with your own cliches for praise. In this case, it is not necessary to select new epithets each time. 2-3 standard words will suffice. So the dog will understand better that she did everything right and the owner is pleased with her work.

To wean the dog from physical contact when executing a command, gradually loosen the pressure. A simple touch will be enough later. But this is not the ultimate goal. The standard gesture for the sit command is a raised palm. Therefore, in training to achieve just such a result. The dog has already remembered the command and clearly represents what it needs to do. But sometimes it can wait for your touch.In this case, once again clearly and more strictly repeat "Sit!", And wait until the dog completes the task.

In the following steps, you can train the dog to sit exactly at the left leg or execute a command according to the gesture of your hand.

When training beginner breeders often make mistakes. Subsequently, this can nullify all your efforts, or the desired result will not be achieved.

1. Do not give a treat immediately after the dog has taken a sitting position. In this position, she must sit at least 5-7 seconds. In the future, this time can be increased.
2. The "Sit" command is a signal to start the action. But do not forget that the required signal of the completion of the exercise is also required. This may be a praise or other sign. So you will achieve that after the order to "sit" the dog will remain in place even if you have moved aside.
3. The command must be given in an even, calm voice. Do not use high tones, scream, aggressive or sharp notes.
4. Teach the dog to give the command one time. Say it, wait for the execution. Repeated repetition will lead to the fact that in the future the dog will not pay attention to it and wait until you sit it down.
5. When physically affected, the dog should not feel pain. In other words, your movements should be clearly coordinated, confident, but not cause discomfort to your pet. This will be perceived as an element of violence, not learning new things.
6. Dogs love to learn new things. Therefore, do not stop at the simplest execution of the command. Complicate the task. To do this, you can train the dog to perform a command from a distance, by gesture, with a slight pull of the leash. Also ensure that the dog is in the right position for the amount of time you need.
7. Regularity training. It is foolish to expect a positive result if you yourself do not devote a sufficient amount of time to the learning process. At the same time one lesson should not last long. But the systematic importance.

Training should take place in a comfortable environment. If you practice outdoors, make sure the ground is dry. It is unacceptable to set your pet on dirt, puddles or just wet ground.

With any method of training It is necessary to reduce the external impact (or the number of treats). As a result, the dog must learn to execute the command, not expecting you to feed or push on the back. But the praise should not be canceled.

Training is better to start at an early age. But an adult dog is quite possible to teach the right teams. Only this will take more patience and time. But absolutely all dogs are trainable. The main thing is your desire and perseverance.

Tips on teaching dogs team "Sit" look further.