Puppy training. Where to start?! Those new to the world of puppies may well feel a little unsure about puppy training, possibly a little anxious about getting it right. Well Jo Woodward from 'FurryTails', a qualified reward-based trainer is here to help.
A well-trained puppy is the key to a happy puppy, and the first thing most owners try to teach their new puppy is to 'sit'. Sitting is the perfect way to keep your pup safe both at home and when out and about so it's important to get it right. In this post, Jo takes you through the basics of teaching the perfect 'sit'.
Teaching The Perfect 'Sit'
✅ Have a treat or piece of kibble in between your thumb and first two fingers, as if you were pinching something. Bring your pinched fingers with the treat, down towards your pup's nose, with your palm facing upwards. Imagine there is an invisible piece of string attached to your puppy’s nose and the treat. Bring the treat slightly up above their nose and as soon their bottom goes down say ‘good’ and give them the treat.
✅ When you take care of the head end the bottom ends goes down! If they jump up for the treat, look at how you might be delivering the treat - is it a little too high, so they’re jumping up to try to get it? Offer the treat quickly and as close to their nose as possible and watch out for that bottom going down towards the ground and say 'good' as soon as it does.
✅ When they’ve done this a few times, you can then add the word ‘sit’ as you anticipate their bottom hitting the floor.
✅ Make sure you reward frequently with a treat to begin with and always verbally praise them, rather than stroking their head, as many dogs find head stroking intimidating. It is best to try a hands-off approach when praising your dogs, as this will help your dog remain calmer and they will sit for longer.
✅ When they have mastered this you can fade the treat out, as by that time your dog will have learned the visual cue of your fingers in the pinched position going up in the air will mean ‘sit’. Make sure you always praise them for offering you a 'sit'. What gets rewarded gets repeated. Remember to take any training treats out of their daily food allowance.
We hope this helps when teaching your new puppy to sit. Don't forget that Jo is available for further help with online sessions and socially-distanced one-to-one sessions. She has an amazing repertoire of games and enrichment ideas to help you and your pup in every way possible! Get in touch with her via Facebook, email on jo@furrytails.dog, or phone on 07973 216148.
Is there anything that you are struggling with training-wise? Let us know in the comments.
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