How to Train a Puppy to Sit
Training your puppy to respond to the command "sit" is a valuable skill that can be utilized in various situations. It is a relatively simple command to teach and can make your new puppy feel accomplished when rewarded for exhibiting this natural behavior.
Once your dog has learned how to respond to the "sit" command, you can make it a default behavior, similar to how children are taught to use "please" and "thank you." For example, instructing your puppy to sit can be an effective way to manage their exuberant bursts of energy. As long as their tail remains on the ground, they are less likely to engage in mischief by venturing into prohibited areas.
Benefits of Training Your Dog to Sit
Your puppy will learn to use the default behavior of sitting as a means to obtain bigger rewards. Sitting becomes the puppy's form of currency to ask for and receive benefits, as it realizes that by following the household rules, it can obtain what it desires.
Here are some examples: before going out the door, the dog must first sit as a payment. During mealtime, sitting becomes a polite request, and the reward is receiving its food bowl. When the puppy brings you a toy for a game, teach it that it must first sit before being rewarded with playtime.
This approach is not cruel; rather, it prevents the chaotic behavior of an unruly and pushy adult dog. By teaching the default behavior of sitting now, you establish control while reinforcing your puppy's social position within the family. From the very beginning, your puppy learns that being a part of the family entails getting along with humans and being polite to you, as you control the resources such as food, opening doors, and games.
Lure Training Basics
There are various training techniques available today. One of them is lure training, which involves using a highly desirable reward such as a favorite treat or toy to gently entice and guide your puppy into the sitting position.
How to Lure Train:
Position yourself in front of your puppy and hold the lure just above its head but in front of its nose. Lift the lure upward, moving it over the top of the head. The puppy will need to lift its head to follow the movement of the treat or toy, which causes it to become slightly off balance. As the puppy's nose follows the reward, its hindquarters will naturally touch the ground to maintain balance.
Stand in front of your puppy and give the verbal command "sit" in a firm and calm voice.
As soon as the puppy sits down, provide it with the treat or toy as a reward.
Establish a consistent puppy training routine and repeat this exercise multiple times throughout the day. If you are using treats, try to schedule the training sessions before meal times when the puppy is slightly hungry. Over time, the puppy will learn that it can obtain the reward by simply sitting down when you say "sit," rather than having to be lured into the position.
Once your puppy understands the meaning of the command "sit," introduce a hand signal to accompany the verbal command. Choose a specific hand signal, such as a closed fist, and use it consistently each time you give the command. By associating the hand signal with the command repeatedly and without relying on the lure, the puppy will start to connect the hand signal with the desired action. Your goal is for the puppy to recognize both the hand action and the verbal command, perform the behavior, and then be rewarded with the treat or toy.
Initially, make sure to reward the puppy with a treat or toy every time it successfully sits. Use a reward that the puppy only receives during these training sessions so that it looks forward to the lessons.
Gradually, start asking for the "sit" command without immediately providing a reward (except for verbal praise). Instead, offer the treat or toy reward only every second or third time the puppy responds correctly. This technique, known as "intermittent rewards," is a powerful teaching tool. It helps the puppy understand that it may receive a reward but doesn't know exactly when. The objective is for the puppy to recognize the command and perform the action, whether or not a reward is visible.
Clicker Training Skills
Clicker training is a method that encourages natural behavior in animals. Instead of coaxing or physically placing a puppy into a sitting position, clicker training allows the puppy to explore on its own and then rewards the desired action, such as sitting.
Although it may take a bit longer, once the puppy grasps the concept, it will eagerly try to "discover" what else you want it to do. Clicker training is not only enjoyable for puppies, but it also teaches them how to learn and how to please their owners. It's best to use small treats so that they only get a taste and smell rather than filling up their tummy.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clicker train:
Gather your treats and clicker, and set the treats aside so the puppy doesn't focus on them. Then, observe your puppy and wait for it to sit on its own. As soon as its bottom touches the ground, click the clicker and immediately give the puppy a treat. Timing is crucial, so make sure to click the moment its tail makes contact with the ground. The treat reinforces the behavior.
The puppy might appear a bit confused but grateful as it enjoys the reward. Now that it knows treats are involved, it will want another one. This is when the puppy's brain starts working hard to figure out how to get more treats. Don't talk, lure, point, or provide any guidance. Let the puppy figure things out independently. The process of puzzling out the connection between the click and the treat teaches a powerful lesson. The puppy will understand that something caused the "click-treat," although it might take a few tries before it sits again and receives another click-treat.
After the second or third treat, the puppy will realize it's onto something! You can almost see its thought process as it begins to offer different behaviors that led to the treat. It might paw your leg, bark, grab a toy, scratch itself, and accidentally sit (click-treat!).
Once the puppy has a light bulb moment and understands that sitting prompts the click sound and a click means a treat, it might offer half a dozen or more sits in a row. Stop the training session while the puppy is still excited to avoid dampening its enthusiasm.
Now you can start associating the command with the action. As the puppy's bottom touches the ground, say "sit" at the same time you click, and then give the treat. This way, the puppy will learn that the word "sit" corresponds to the action it is performing.
By following these steps, you can effectively clicker train your puppy and establish a positive association between the clicker, commands, and desired behaviors.