How to Teach a Puppy to Sit

When you first bring a puppy into your home, it's important to begin training him immediately. Obedience training is necessary because it teaches your puppy who to listen to, and helps him become a well-mannered dog that can be a part of your family for a lifetime. One of the most important obedience training steps is teaching a puppy how to sit.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dog treats

1. Choose a treat to use to reward your puppy's behavior. Puppies respond well to praise and a physical reward.

2. Keep training sessions short and practice them several times throughout the day. No session should run longer than 15 minutes. Keeping the sessions short and performing them a few times each day will keep your puppy's attention focused and condition her to the new behavior.

3. Hold the treat you've chosen above your dog's nose with one hand. With the other hand, gently press down on his behind until he sits.

4. Say the word "Sit" and give her the treat. This will teach her to associate sitting with a reward. Also give positive encouragement using phrases like, "Good girl" or "Good puppy" to continue her motivation.

5. Tell him "No" in a firm manner and take the treat away if he jumps on you during a training session. Once the puppy is calm, show the treat and try again. Just as positive reinforcement works, taking the treat away will teach your puppy that jumping is an unwanted behavior.

6. Begin offering the reward sporadically during training sessions once your puppy associates the command "Sit" with a treat. Remove the treat entirely once your puppy has fully grasped the concept of sitting on command.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach your puppy to sit in different places throughout the house, particularly by the front door. This will train her to sit when visitors enter your house instead of jumping on them.