In the second part of this series on dog training, celebrity dog trainer Tamar Geller explains how teaching your dog to sit is fundamental.
The Power of Sit
Why the "Sit" command is Important?
- Sitting is like the trunk of the tree as all other behaviors are like branches growing outward from there
- You must establish a connection with the dog and the first step is teaching him to sit
- Relevance training: Teaching your dog to sit is the equivalent of teaching your child to say "please."
Teaching your Dog to Sit
- The Magnet: Use your hand like a magnet and move from his nose to his tail, to get him to sit.
- Make sure nothing sticks out sides of your hand or fingers
- Avoid holding your hand too high and creating the 'jumping game'
- Turn your back if your dog does jump
Three levels:
Teach him to sit when you are:
1. Standing
2. Sitting or crouching on the floor
3. Lying down on the floor
- Teach the dog to sit in different contexts
- Each time he sits on his own accord, praise him and sing the word 'sit'
