How to Make Your Puppy Sit

Teaching a puppy to sit is one of the most useful commands your dog will learn, as well as one of the easiest commands to teach. Giving the ̶0;sit̶1; command can keep a dog from jumping all over you, stop him from running out the door or just impress your friends with Fido's impressive listening skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Stand facing your dog while holding your puppy's favorite treat in your hand. Let your puppy sniff and lick the treat and give the command ̶0;sit̶1; and keep the treat an inch from your dog's nose as you slowly move the treat from the tip of your dog's nose to between your puppy's eyes and toward the top of his head. If the treat is too far away from your dog, he likely will jump. As your puppy's snout comes up, he will put his butt on the floor to keep his balance. Give the treat the instant your puppy's butt hits the floor. Repeat this step several times during the day before moving on to the next step.

    • 2

      Stand facing your dog, but this time keep the treat in your pocket. Say ̶0;sit̶1; and place your empty fingers an inch from your dog's nose and start moving your hand backward and over your puppy's head. The puppy's snout will follow your empty hand and his butt will hit the floor to keep his balance. Praise your dog as you pull the treat out of your pocket and give it to your puppy without delay. Repeat this step several times before moving to the next step.

    • 3

      Stand facing your dog and say ̶0;sit̶1; while holding your empty hand about 10 inches above your puppy's face. Do not repeat the command, but wait patiently for 30 seconds. If your puppy does not sit, start moving your hand over his head, but keep your hand about 10 inches away from the dog. If your pup sits, give him a treat. Otherwise, give the command again and wait.

    • 4

      Say ̶0;sit̶1; without using a treat or hand motions. Wait until your puppy's butt hits the floor and then praise.