How to Train a Dog to Sit

Training a dog to sit is in most cases, the first and most basic lesson in dog training. As a dog owner, this should be at number one priority on your list of dog obedience and training sessions. Other commands and instructions such as 'fetch', 'lie down' or 'stand' should follow later. Here is how you should train a dog to sit and stay.

1. Make sure that your dog is wide awake and attentive before you begin with this lesson. Waking him up from sleep just to teach him this exercise is a bad idea.
2. Hold a small dog treat in your hand. It could be a dog biscuit, a chicken nugget, or any small dog snack.
3. Show it to your dog and hold it above his nose so that he can sniff it. He will naturally be tempted by it and will want to eat it. Do not hold it too high or else his natural reaction would be to jump towards it in an effort to try to grab it. Hold the treat above his head in such a way that he is able to smell it and yet, it remains just out of his reach.
4. Now, slowly move your hand in an arc towards your dog's tail. This will make your dog look upwards vertically in an attempt to follow the motion of your hand. While doing so, the dog will have no option but to rest on his haunches.
5. Just as you notice that the dog is about to sit, stop your hand motion and say the word "SIT" loudly and firmly, but not rudely. Remember to always be firm, but polite in issuing all your commands.
6. Once the dog sits, wait for a couple of seconds so that he remains still in that position. Only after that should you reward him by giving him the treat. Praise him and pat him for having 'sat well'. This gives a sense of confidence to your dog.
7. Repeat this exercise a couple of times so that your dog becomes familiar with the command and gets the hang of it. The time duration of this exercise should not exceed five to seven minutes as excessive repetitions can make the exercise monotonous and your dog may become unresponsive. It is always better to do this exercise twice or thrice a day in durations of five minutes each, rather than doing it once a day for half an hour.
8. Also, when issuing the SIT command, make sure that you say the word 'SIT' only once, and that too, loudly and slowly. Rattling off a series of "SIT doggy, SIT SIT SIT! Why don't you SIT? Come on doggy, SIT SIT SIT!!!" will not help, and it will only end up confusing your dog.
9. Teach your dog the SIT command (and all other commands) in one pre-decided language. It helps the dog to understand, learn and obey your commands properly.
10. Use the SIT command in different places such as your home, in the backyard, on the street, etc. so that your dog understands that regardless of where he is, he is supposed to sit.
11. Always reward your dog with an odd treat, during the dog training phase. Also, it is important that you be patient, calm and composed. Do not use physical force if the dog is initially unable to understand what it is, that you want him to do. He will learn over time and with practice. It is normal dog behavior.

All in all, the ultimate tip is to love him, care for him, respect him, and he will be your best friend for life.