Why Do You Ask Your Dog to Sit?

It’s a proud moment, when a dog learns to sit.  We look around at others who might be witnessing this momentous occasion and asking, “did you see that – he sat!”  So, we start asking the dog to sit and sit and sit and sit…

Soon, we are frustrated our dog isn’t as enamored with “sit” as we are.  It’s great to teach your dog to follow basic commands and equally as important to remember why. There is a reason beyond just them knowing how to sit.  There is also a reason beyond our being able to ask our dog to do something and they do it.

Why do you want them to sit?  If we continually ask our dogs to follow a command without purpose, they will soon catch on and look at us as if to say, “why?”

Have them sit before you open the door and go for a walk.  Have them sit before you give them affection. Have them sit before they are served dinner.  Have them sit prior to your opening the car door and giving them permission to get in.  I think you get the point.  You will have greater success with your dog doing as you ask them to if there is a “reward” or a purpose to the action.