"Sit" Command

Use small treats your dog finds rewarding. Work in a quiet spot with few distractions. Keep sessions to 5 minutes or fewer. Short sessions keep your dog focused and willing.

Hold a treat close to your dog's nose. Slowly arc your hand back over their head. As their nose follows the treat upward, their rear will lower toward the floor. Let this happen at their own pace. Don't push the hindquarters down. The lure gives your dog time to work it out, and that's what makes the behavior reliable.

The instant your dog's rear touches the floor, say "yes" or click, then give the treat. A clicker can make the timing especially clear. If you wait a second, you reward whatever they're doing at that moment. Aim to mark the very instant of contact.

Once your dog follows the lure reliably, add the word. Say 'sit' once, then immediately begin the lure. Repeat this pairing over several sessions. The word needs many repetitions alongside the hand movement before your dog recognizes it as the signal.

Once the word is paired, try asking without showing a treat. Say 'sit', wait a moment, and reward from your pocket if they respond. If nothing happens, return to the lure for a few more reps. Moving too quickly here is the most common reason the behavior breaks down.

Once sit is solid in a quiet spot, practice it in slightly more distracting places. A behavior learned in one environment won't automatically transfer. A few repetitions in each new setting is usually all it takes.

Most dogs pick up sit within a handful of short sessions. Progress typically slows when the word is first introduced. Stay with the lure a little longer than feels necessary, and the behavior will come together.