| Besides the excitement of getting a puppy, one | | | | The above technique might not be that effective |
| of the most challenging parts of dog ownership is | | | | for older puppies. With older puppies, you can |
| teaching the dog to be obedient and establishing | | | | practice this second technique. With your dog in |
| yourself as the dominant one in the dog-owner | | | | front of you, hold a tasty treat and pass it across |
| relationship. One of the basic obedience training | | | | the dog's nose and continue over his head a few |
| points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog | | | | centimeters high. In the process of trying to |
| to sit on command. | | | | follow the motion of your hand, your dog |
| As with every other dog training procedure, it is | | | | assumes a sitting position. As soon as your dog |
| important to note that dogs are not humans and | | | | plants his behind on the ground, say the word 'sit' |
| thus do not share your language or pattern of | | | | firmly. If he sits down, reward him for it. Later |
| communication. It is important to bear this in mind, | | | | you will not need the treat to make your dog sit |
| so that you will appreciate the essence of | | | | on command. |
| patience. For any reasonable results with dog | | | | Getting your dog to remain sitting shouldn't be as |
| training, it is important to be patient and repetitive | | | | difficult. The idea is that when you command your |
| with the training. Repetitions enable your dog to | | | | dog to sit, he should remain sitting until you tell |
| establish connections between your verbal | | | | him to leave the sitting position. All you have to |
| commands and the action required of it. You | | | | do is make your dig sit until you say a 'release' |
| should also learn to praise your dog every time | | | | word that signifies that he is free to go. When in |
| he gets it right. Finally, the training sessions should | | | | the sitting position, call your dog's name and add |
| not be boring to either of you. It is a good idea to | | | | the 'release' word/statement. Your dog should |
| keep the lessons short to start with and increase | | | | come to you. With time, the dog understands |
| the time as you continue. | | | | that the word means he can stop sitting. During |
| There are several training techniques to teach | | | | the training sessions, if your dog gets up before |
| your dog to sit on command. Most dog trainers | | | | the release word, show him your disapproval and |
| believe that you can start training your dog to sit | | | | make him sit again. This way, the dog |
| at around three months old. | | | | understands that he is supposed to sit until you |
| The first technique is simple and very good for | | | | say the release word. |
| young puppies. When you see your puppy about | | | | These are just a few of the several techniques |
| to sit, say the command 'sit' firmly and when | | | | that can help with your dog training. Again, |
| your dog sits, praise him for getting it right. In no | | | | remember that you may not get instant results, |
| time, your puppy learns to associate the verbal | | | | but repetition, patience and rewarding your dog |
| command with the act of sitting and you can then | | | | every time he gets it right, will work in the end. |
| get your puppy to sit just by saying it. | | | | |