Training Tip: Teaching Your Dog To Sit

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most basic commands your dog can learn. "Sit" is a good way to get your dog started with learning commands, and is also a great way to teach obedience. If you are having issues with your dog wanting to jump or paw as a way to greet people, using the "Sit" command can aid in the removal of that behavior. 

This is Legs. He is available for adoption at the Sebastian County Humane Society. 

For more information about the Sebastian County Humane Society, or to adopt this adorable dog, click here.

Training your dog to sit is simple, but it takes repetition and patience. Before you start with training you will need a few things: 

1.) Your dog (duh)
2.) Treats (for your dog...and maybe a few for yourself, this is hard work for you too!)
3.) Patience

In case you haven't gotten the hint, patience is very important with training. Here is another obvious fact: your dog will most likely not learn the command on the first try. That's OK. 

Us humans typically don't master something the first time we are told either. If you find yourself becoming frustrated, your dog is probably frustrated too and it will benefit you both to take a break. Go do something you both enjoy such as napping, playing fetch, or going for a walk. When you feel that you are rested, give training another try. 

Using "Sit" as a Verbal Cue

• Standing, grasp a treat between your thumb and index finger. 
• Say "Sit" and hold the treat above your dog's nose, no more than an inch away, guiding your dog into a sitting position. 
• Raise the treat above your dog's head, causing his nose to move upward. Once a dog's snout goes up, their bottom typically goes down. 
• Immediately after your dog sits give the treat and lots of praises!
• Repeat these steps until your dog has mastered the art of sitting on cue with a treat. 

If your dog has a tendency to back away instead of sitting, start with your dog's back to a corner or wall. When you hold the treat above his nose, step forward pushing him toward the wall which should trigger him to want to sit. Also, if your dog is jumping to reach the treat, you may be holding it to close to his nose. Try holding it further away and more over the top of his head instead of directly in front of his nose. 

Using "Sit" with a Hand Signal

Now that your dog is an expert at sitting with a treat in your hand, it is time to remove the treat. Follow the same steps as above, but only pretend to have a treat in your hand, keeping the treat in your other hand or your pocket.

• Say "Sit" and raise your hand above your dog's head, pinching your thumb and index fingers together as if you had a treat, leading him into the sitting position. 
• As soon as your dog sits, give him the treat you had stashed away and lots of praises.

Sitting on Command

The next step in training your dog to sit is removing the hand signal and teaching your pooch it sit whenever you command "Sit". 

• Keep treats stashed out of sight, either in your pocket or on a table. 
• Say "Sit" and raise your hand. If your dog sits immediately, give praise first and then the treat. 
• If your dog doesn't sit on cue, bring your hand closer as you did in the steps above and guide him into the sitting position. Once he sits, give praise first and then the treat. 
• After several repetitions, begin to move your hand further away from your dog while saying "Sit". The goal is to have your dog sitting on command without any movement of your hand. 

At this stage giving your dog praise before rewarding with the treat is important. Waiting to give the treat lets your dog know that eventually a treat is coming, he just needs to be patient. This will also encourage your dog to perform actions without having to visibly see a treat. 


 Taking the Show on the Road

Once your dog has learned to sit on command, he is now ready to practice sitting in public when he greets people. To begin, have a friend help you out. (This is also a great way to show off how well you've trained your dog!) 

• Ask your friend to casually approach you in public. Give the "Sit" command to your dog before your friend has come too close and before your dog becomes overly excited by the presence of company. 
• If your dog sits on command, give lots of praise and then reward with a treat that has been stored in your pocket. Occasionally offer another treat as your dog continues to sit throughout the visit with your friend. 
• If your dog does not sit, ask your friend to walk away, wait a few minutes, getting your dog to sit, then have them approach again. Each time your dog does not sit or does not continue to sit throughout the presence of your friend, ask them to walk away. This will let your dog know that bad behavior makes company go away.  

With training it is important to always be consistent. Never praise or award a negative behavior. And as a final reminder: Be Patient!

Good Luck!

Resource (because I couldn't just come up with this on my own): ASPCA

Do You Know What A Pit Bull Looks Like?

Such a silly question of me to ask, yes?

Nope.

Trust me. I thought I could pick out a Pit Bull from a mile away. That is until I was challenged by a poster from the National Canine Research Council.

The poster displays photos of 16 mixed breed dogs which, by looks only, would be labeled as Pit Bull mixes. However, each dog was given a blood DNA test and only 3 of the 16 pictured dogs actually have a mix of Pit Bull.

Take a gander at the poster here and see how well you fair.

How did I do? I got 1 guess right.

Kinda proves a point doesn't it?

You don't know what is on the inside by looks on the outside.

Let me know how good (or in my case, not so good) you did!

Sarah

Not A Bully Campaign

ABC News ran this story about photographer Douglas Sonders.

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/photos/pit-bulls-show-softer-side-23418881/image-23419547

Sonders has a goal to bring a positive image to Pit Bulls through his campaign Not A Bully.

Enjoy the slideshow and to see more photos by Sonders and learn about his campaign, visit notabully.org.

My Reaction

I love it. The whole thing. The whole furry, slobbery, smiley, tail-wagging thing. 

Then I read the comments and was encouraged by what people had to say. 

So many people are willing to share their voice about their passion for Pit Bulls. And it was not just Pit Bull owners, but people who had just simply met a Pit Bull had nothing but positive things to say. 

It warms my heart, but most of all it gives me hope. 

One day breed discrimination will not exist. 

Sarah

10 Signs That You Own A Pit Bull

1.)    You spend more money on replacing dog toys than you do on yourself.

            Between fetch and tug-a-war dog toys do not stand a chance against a Pit Bull. You might even have a toy graveyard where all the decapitated and destuffed and delimbed toys go after meeting your Pit Bull. Our household record: 3 minutes. It took Chase 3 minutes to destroy a stuffed duck.

2.)    People ask you what your exercise routine is and you reply: “I own a Pit Bull.”

From Google Images

            It is no secret that Pit Bulls have endless energy. These active dogs are your walking, running, hiking, any outdoor activity buddy. And they are always ready to go!

3.)    Drool has just become a part of your life.

            There is no way around it. Slobber happens. Just wipe it off and move on.

4.)    You have accepted the fact that there is no such thing as “sharing” a blanket.

            Or sharing anything with your Pit Bull, really. They sneak their way into your heart…and then onto your couch…and then your bed…and now you’re feeding them half of your sandwich before you even get a bite because, come on, that face!

5.)    You find yourself repeating “He’s very friendly” to everyone your dog meets.

            Some people may be timid at first, but once they meet your Pit Bull, it doesn’t take long for them to realize the truth behind those words. And then become covered in slobbery kisses.

6.)    Having a well manicured lawn is overrated.

            Your backyard is a mind field of ankle-breakers (what we here call those small holes dug in your yard that aren’t really visible but are just enough to snap your ankle when you stumble into it). And you can see a clear map of everywhere your Pit Bull roams by the numerous dirt paths spread around your yard. The yard is their kingdom and they shall rule it how they see fit!

7.)    So is going to the bathroom alone.

            Hey, Pit Bulls don’t judge. Just view it as your own personal protector of your porcelain thrown.

8.)    You actually considered purchasing a gas mask.

            I don’t think this one needs any further explanation. You understand. And so do I.

9.)    You buy moisturizer…for your dog.

            Pit Bulls are prone to having thin dry skin that can result in patches of hair loss, and rough dry paws. No big deal. Just slap some doggy moisturizer on and call it good.

10.) You never knew how much love you could have for a little being until the day your Pit Bull came into your life.

            Pit Bull owners are loud and proud. You’ll never find a more loyal friend that displays such unconditional love as your Pit Bull.


What other lovable traits does your Pit Bull have?