Sit

One of the first, and easiest things to teach your puppy is “Sit”.

To do this you can either use the “lure” method of clicker training, or the “natural” method. (see “Clicker Training”) Personally, for “Sit” I find it easier to lure the puppy into the position. It might take a little longer, but at this stage your pup is getting use to the clicker and everything will take a little longer then it will once the “click” has sunk in.

Start at a time when your puppy is hungry and awake. Get the food ready first - tiny little bits of something special. Lunch meat cut up very small is a treat, dried dog snacks that you can break up very small is good, and has the advantage of not being sticky.

Put a handful of this out of puppy’s reach, but close to you. Have one piece in your hand and hold it in front of your puppy’s nose, raising your hand until his head goes up. You will find that his tail end tends to drop down at the same time - Click, and give the treat and tell him what a good doggy he is.

You might find that your pup jumps around barking or otherwise too over excited about the food to concentrate. There is nothing wrong with “priming the clicker” if this happens. Just give the food, clicking at the same moment it hits his tongue. After a couple of pieces he will calm down and you can continue with the sit.

Even if his bottom doesn’t fully hit the floor, click and treat. Pup will sit completely eventually.

The advantage of using the “lure” method for sit is that the hand signal for sit is being automatically taught at the same time. You raise your hand, palm up, as a signal for sit. I always teach anything without a vocal command first, only giving a voice command to go with it once the dog has the signal.

Keep the lesson short. Five minutes is plenty for a young pup. If you do this mid morning and mid afternoon when you are home, you will find that your pup not only has learnt “Sit” but has also learnt that the clicker means “NOW” and that it means he will get a treat as well.

Once the puppy is sitting every time you raise your hand, you can start saying “Sit” as you do it. By the end of the week the puppy, even a little pup of 3 or 4 months, will have “Sit”.

If you have questions about "sit" you would like to see in this section, please email me at eliza@elizasart.com