The goal of "sit" training is to teach the dog to calm down so that he can understand and follow the owner's next instruction better and won't make a mistake like jumping on other dogs or people when he is too excited. To calm the dog down, tell him to "sit." Rule of thumb: teach your dog what to do before you teach him what not to do. First, teach your dog the fundamentals of obedience before using it to curb undesirable behavior; training will often solve many behavioral issues.
- Before training, squat on his right side, give him a command, place your left hand on his back, and gently press his buttocks and hind legs to get him to sit. Once the dog can carry out this action on its own, reward him after several repetitions.
- After that, you can put the dog's collar and leash on. It is best to reward the dog at this point with food or treats. Then tug the leash tightly, say "sit," and gently press the dog's hind feet until the dog is in the correct position.
- Say "sit" once more. This time, pay close attention and permit the dog to remain seated. When he is ready, you then remove his hand and repeat, "Don't move," "Don't move," with this command to keep him still.
- Then, he will want to get up; you must press him back to the original position and repeat "sit" until he sits again. If the dog does not obey, you can then sternly scold the dog and then use your hand to press on his hind limbs, prompting the dog to sit. Do not use physical punishment.
- Once he holds the position for five seconds without your hand on it, encourage him by saying "good" and preferably petting him as a reward.
Practice the "sit" command for short periods of time each day. Always make sure your dog is wearing a collar and is under your control. As your dog proves that he can successfully complete the behavior, slowly begin to increase the level of interference or difficulty, and challenges. (which one you see fit)
