(bright music)
- [Instructor] We're gonna show you a fun way to teach sit
that anyone can use and any dog can learn.
Because dogs are usually very eager to work for food,
and because it makes learning fun for both of you,
you'll need a large amount of bite-sized soft treats.
We'll show you how to fade the treats out
once your dog understands what you're asking him to do.
But for now, have plenty on hand.
Keep sessions short, two to three minutes at a time.
You can train during the commercial breaks
of your favorite TV shows.
If you or your dog is getting frustrated,
reward him for doing something right
and end your session there.
Teach new behaviors in a quiet room,
then slowly increase the distractions.
Practice in lots of different places and situations.
And reward your dog with either toys,
petting, play-time, walks, or car rides.
Start by putting a yummy treat in your fist.
Slowly move your hand from just above your dog's nose,
and bring it back over his head.
As your dog follows the treat,
his rear end will lower to the ground.
Just as his bottom hits the floor
quietly say yes and give him the treat in your hand.
Now if your dog's jumping up to grab the treat,
you may be holding it too high.
Just bring your hand down closer to his nose
and draw it back over his head like a magnet.
If his rear end is not lowering to the floor
back him up to a wall or a piece of furniture.
Once your dog's reliably sitting
when you lure him with the treat,
you're ready to start adding the word sit.
Just as your dog begins to lower his bottom say sit.
When he does, say yes and give him the treat.
Practice this with your dog a couple
of times a day for several days.
Now you're ready to start asking your dog to sit
without a treat in your lure hand.
Put a treat in your other hand behind your back.
Motion your now-empty fist as you did before,
from his nose, back over his head and say sit.
When your dog sits, say yes and
give him the treat from behind your back.
Soon you can treat your dog occasionally,
and he'll learn to sit just for your praise.