Teaching a Dog to Sit (So They Actually Listen the First Time)

Teaching a dog to sit is one of the first commands that you teach your dog besides their name.

Teaching your dog how to sit will set the expectations and the ability of your dog to listen for future commands. For example, if you have to say “sit” 4-5 times before your dog sits, expect to say “come” 4 or 5 times before your dog comes.

This post will teach you all about what to expect when teaching a dog to sit. Plus, at the end of this post you can learn exactly how I teach my clients how to teach their dog to sit so they are set up for a 100% reliable “come” command!

Teaching a dog to sit

How to Teach a Dog to Sit Youtube

One of the most common ways to teach your dog to sit is to hold a treat over their head. However, in order for your dog to understand this, they will first need to understand the concept of luring. In other words, the dog understands that when they follow your hand with their nose, they will get a treat.

This video shows the process of teaching a dog to sit who does not understand luring. The first step is to teach the dog to follow your hand. Once they understand that, you can easily teach a dog to sit!

Watch the video below of the process of teaching this shelter dog how to sit for the first time.

A dog who is able to perform a sit in a variety of scenarios and can generalize the skill over a variety of scenarios. A sit can provide structure and control for a dog and their owner.

Your dog may be able to learn to sit in the comfort of your living room while you have a treat in your hand and that is a great first step! However, it is also super important for your dog to learn to sit in a busy downtown, at the pet store, or in the presence of greeting new people. All when you don’t have a treat.

So, how do you teach a dog to listen even when there are distractions?

How to teach a dog sit

You hold them accountable. Teach a dog to sit until they hear the word “break”. If they get out of the sit before you say “break” step into them or offer gentle pop on the leash until they go back into a sit.

If you are having to step into them or use the leash more than 1/2 the time, you may need to make the task easier for the dog. Whenever we teach dogs skills, it is important to for them to be challenged, but also successful. Otherwise, they may get discouraged and stop participating in training sessions.

One of the biggest tips to training your dog to sit is allow them the time to process the message. When we teach children math, it takes the practice and time to figure out the answer. Usually math questions take children 4x as long as it takes the teacher. It may take your dog a few seconds to think about what you are asking him to do.

Rather than discipline or ask your dog to sit again, allow them three to five seconds to think about what you’ve asked them to do.

Then if they do not sit, step into your dog and give them a hand gesture to give them a hint as to what the answer is.

How to teach a dog stay

Sit implies stay.

Teaching a dog stay could be the reason your dog doesn’t listen to you. If sit means “sit until I give you a treat”, or “until I say the word ‘come'” then you are only teaching your dog to leave the sit whenever they feel they are done sitting.

Saying “stay” usually leads to a few things:

“Stay” is said with a testing voice. “staaaaaaay… stay…. staaaay…” This vocal inflection can be exciting and let the dog wait in anticipation of being called out of a sit.
In order to get the dog out of the sit the handler usually uses come, which teaches the dog to leave the sit if you move far away
Opportunity is missed to hold your dog accountable to listening for a break command.

How to Teach an Older Dog to Sit

An older dog can learn new tricks! In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for your dog! Teaching a dog new tricks and introducing new commands will increase a dog’s sense of responsibility and therefore increase their quality of life.

An older dog may be more resistant to change or taking direction from you, so you may need to practice with a leash on so that they don’t decide to leave the interaction.

As long as you keep training fun and involve food, play or praise, an older dog should be willing to try.

An older dog may also already know sit, but just needs work on introducing a break command and weaning off the word “stay”

What Age to Teach a Puppy Sit

You can start teaching your puppy to sit as early as 8 weeks old! The more fun you can make training the better! Puppies love to work for food, so you could even feed them their meal over a training session.

This is an especially good trick for puppies who eat their food quickly.

Puppies learn very quickly and are eager to figure out how to earn your affection. Teach your puppy to sit before doors, for attention or before meeting new people.

Once your puppy learns to sit in your home, it is super important that your puppy learns to generalize their ability to sit in a variety of settings. This way they learn to listen and stay accountable no matter where they are.

How to train your dog to come when called every time

Many of the things you teach your dog after they learn sit will resemble how well a dog knows sit.

Does your dog listen on the first command?

Do they respect a break command?

Does your dog go through the motions or are they actively engaged with you?

Does your dog run off right after receiving a treat?

Are you having to use the leash or harness to hold your dog in a sit?

I made the handout “Teach Your Dog a Bombproof Sit” which contains the exact process I give my clients to teach their dog a sit that will translate to a reliable recall! This process teaches a dog how to treat “sit” with responsibility with accountability.

This process has helped many dog owners start taking control not only of their dog’s obedience, but also bad behavior. Here’s what some of the Bombproof sit protocol has helped dog owners with:

Instead of jumping up dog owners learn to tell their dog to sit (and the dog actually listens)
Instead of barking you can teach your dog how to sit.
Aggressive dogs learn how to respect commands like sit and heel.
Instead of running towards the road, you can tell your dog to come – because they have learned how to respect the commands you give them

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Teaching a reliable sit to your dog can literally save your dog’s life. Click here and prepare your dog today with the bombproof sit protocol.

Teaching a Dog to Sit (So They Actually Listen the First Time)