Training a dog through a series of exercises not only helps them adapt to human social life but also strengthens the bond between the dog and its owner. Having a dog that can follow commands is a source of great pride and worth showing off for the owner. How to train a dog to sit? Dog sitting training methods, parents in need can check them out.

Training gestures: Front sit: swing the right upper arm outward, extend the forearm straight up, palm facing forward in an “L” shape. Left side sit: gently pat the left abdomen with the left hand.

Movement requirements: obey commands, sit down quickly, maintain the posture for a long time.

For left side sit training, the owner first lets the dog stand well on the left side, then gives the command “sit,” while lifting the dog’s collar with the right hand and pressing the dog’s waist corner with the left hand. When the dog is forced to perform the sitting action under this mechanical stimulus, it should be rewarded immediately. After repeating this training many times, the dog forms a conditioned reflex; based on this, combined with hand gestures, the trainer gives commands along with the left side sit gesture to instruct the dog to sit. Once the dog has formed a preliminary conditioned reflex to the left side sit, continue training while walking, stopping to sit by the side and then walking again, repeating this process.

For front sit training, the owner holds the leash with the left hand and guides the dog to the front of themselves, makes the hand gesture with the right hand, then gives the command, simultaneously lifting the leash with the left hand to force the dog to sit. When the dog sits down, reward it immediately. Through repeated training like this, the dog will form a conditioned reflex to front sitting.

Training the dog to sit for a long time: after instructing the dog to sit on the left side or front, hold one end of the leash and slowly move 1 meter away from the dog. If the dog shows signs of standing up or wanting to move while the owner moves, repeat the command “sit” and gently pull the leash to stimulate the dog to sit back in the original position. Initially, only require the dog to stay still for 10 seconds and reward immediately if successful. Gradually extend the sitting duration by continuously reinforcing and increasing it, aiming for 5 minutes. At the same time as developing sitting delay, gradually increase the distance between the trainer and the dog, using alternating near and far distances until the trainer hides over 20 meters away and the dog still sits without moving.

Training to sit in complex environments: after the dog can successfully obey commands and perform the action in a quiet environment, the training environment should gradually be made more complex to enhance the dog’s ability to resist distractions. In complex environments, the dog’s actions are easily affected by external stimuli, so appropriate coercive measures should be used to help the dog gradually adapt.

A. When pressing the waist corner during training, the position must be accurate to achieve training effectiveness.

B. Timely correction of spontaneous sitting failure is important; it is best done when the dog intends to move but has not completely disrupted the behavior, and the stimulus should be somewhat stronger.

C. For dogs with high excitability, be patient when training sitting delay; demands should not be too high each time, and improvement should be gradual.

D. In the extended distance sitting delay training, the owner must return in person to the dog to reward it after each session and should not call the dog to come for the reward from a distance.

E. At the beginning of training, the delay time and distance should not be increased simultaneously and must follow the principle of gradual progress.