A new puppy is an exciting adventure and the most adorable addition to any home.
Training your new puppy is a lot of work, especially when it comes to ensuring that he knows what to do when you’re not home. Basic commands like sit can help reduce anxiety and unwanted chewing. Teaching your dog to sit can also open up a world of new tricks!
If you’re looking for a guide on how to train a puppy to sit, this is the guide for you.
Behavioral Reinforcement
There are two primary methods for teaching a puppy to sit: positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves providing the dog with something they want—in this case, food—after they sit.
You can use a mixture of both.
Negative reinforcement involves reprimands or punishment (such as removing privileges) to ensure that the puppy sits. For older puppies, begin by rewarding them when they sit politely on their own without being prompted by you. As they get more proficient at sitting on command, gradually increase the number of times you reward them for sitting each day.
Once your pup is reliably sitting after being given a treat or kibble, use negative reinforcements such as removing playtime or food rewards if the puppy does not sit when asked. Be sure to keep your pup’s attention focused on you when training them so that they understand what is expected of them.
Stimulate the Puppy’s Sit Spot
Once you’ve located the spot where your pup likes to sit, use a small treat or toy to lure them in. If you want them to stay seated, hold the item close to their nose but not in their mouth.
Reinforce Good Behavior
When your pup sits, give them verbal praise such as “good job” or “sitting nicely.” If they don’t sit immediately after being lured in, provide another small treat once they’ve sat down.
Ignore Bad Behavior
If your pup doesn’t sit after being lured in or if they start getting up after sitting for a few seconds, give them a stern “no” and move on to the next step.
If they continue to behave this way, eventually, training may become too complicated, and you’ll need to seek professional help.
Gradually Increase Time
Once your pup consistently sits for around five minutes without distractions, begin gradually increasing the time until they’re seated for an entire hour without being rewarded.
It’s also essential to get Pet Assure coverage in case your furry friend gets injured in an accident.
How to Train a Puppy to Sit: Key Takeaways
Are you a new pet owner wondering how to train a puppy to sit? It just requires patience and a little bit of effort. Start by teaching your puppy to sit for a treat and slowly add other distractions.
Once your puppy responds consistently, you can add a verbal cue and eventually phase out the treats. With consistent training, your puppy will learn to sit on command and be a well-behaved family member.
If you want to read more guides and tips about training your pets, check out the rest of our blogs.