The SIT Command -Methods and Steps

Method 1 

This is great for young puppies. Young puppies are easy to work with because they are little and easy to mold into the sit position. When you have a new puppy you are constantly watching him anyway for signs he has to go potty and because he just does the cutest things, so when you see him start to sit you can call out the sit command and when his behind hits the floor you can give him praise, "good dog" and pets. In your dog's mind you are building an association between your verbal SIT command and the act of him sitting. Most puppies will make the connection between his action and getting rewarded for that action. He may even just walk up to you and sit looking to get rewarded for the action. It is cute, but for the puppy to associate the command SIT with the action, make him get up and walk a bit then call the command for him to sit. Before you know it every time you ask for a sit he will understand the command and respond accordingly. The puppy will think "Seriously I get an excited reaction (praise) and a treat for this, sweet."  

Method 2 - Front Position  

This next method is for older puppies and adult dogs of any age. While you have your dog on leash either direct him to the front of you or adjust your body so that you are facing him. With your dog in a standing position hold the leash with one hand and a small moist treat in the other hand and guide the treat from his nose level up over the head keeping the treat a few inches above the head. The dog should follow the smell of the treat and your hand at the same time his rear end will be lowering. Once you see the rear going down say the SIT command clearly and firmly and as soon as his behind hits the ground treat and praise with enthusiasm.

The dog might feel the need to back up to follow the treat or jump up to the treat while it is going over his head and this could be because the treat is too far away from the dog's nose, you are moving the treat too quickly from his nose over his head, or the treat is traveling too far over the head. To correct this problem, experiment with the distance you are holding the treat from the dog's head to find the best position, also hold the leash taut above the dog's head with your leash hand while your other hand is moving the treat over the dog's head. This should restrict the body from moving while the head is following the treat, remember to use the SIT command as soon as the rear end is going down towards the floor and treat and praise as soon as the behind hits the floor. Repeat these steps until the dog starts sitting without backing up or jumping; then just use the hand movement with the treat, the SIT command, and reward once the command is complete. Eventually the verbal command will be all you need to accomplish what you want. Remember that with practice the SIT command will just come naturally and the only reward the dog will need is verbal praise for a job well done.  

Method 2 - Heel Position  

The Heel position refers to you and your dog standing side by side, your leg and his head almost in line with each other. In the show ring and in the competitive obedience ring the dog is located on the left side of the handler, therefore I will refer to the dog being on the left in this method.  

With your dog in a standing position on your left, the leash in your right (holding the leash taut and basically straight up and above the collar), and the treat in your left hand, take the treat from in front of the dog's nose and up over the dog's head as instructed above in Method 2 -Front Position while lightly pulling up with the leash and use the SIT command clearly and firmly as soon as the rear is lowering to the ground. When the behind hits the ground, treat and praise with enthusiasm.

Again the dog might feel the need to back up to follow the treat or jump up to the treat while it is going over his head. Follow the above instructions to correct the problem and/or you could try to take your leg closest to the dog and place it directly behind the dog's hind legs, kind of a stopping block for him from backing up, then repeat the steps to achieve the SIT command.

Another technique to try if neither way is working is without using a treat reward apply pressure downward over the dog's hips. Again with the dog standing in the heel position on your left and the leash in your right (holding the leash taut and basically straight up and above the collar) say the SIT command clearly and firmly while lightly pulling up with the leash (that is in your right hand) and using your left arm applying light pressure over the rear of the dog. Once the behind hits the ground treat and praise with enthusiasm. Within no time at all you won't need to do any little tricks like the foot block or press down on the rear or apply upward pressure on the leash to get the dog to follow the SIT command, he will follow the command just because he is receiving attention and praise from you.  

A benefit of training a dog the SIT command is that it gives you an option to change a bad behavior. You may have a wonderful friendly dog that just loves people but the dog greets every visitor to your house by jumping up on them - not the best way to say hello especially if they are not exactly dog people. Having your dog sit to greet your visitors when they enter your home is a very pleasant way to say hello. You can first start off by teaching the SIT command as instructed in Method 2 - Heel position, then ask family members or friends to come to the front door and repeat the SIT command when your visitors enter. Practice this for a little while then ask your visitor to ask your dog to sit when entering your house. This accomplishment may take some time, commitment, consistency, and patience but soon enough your dog will be nicely greeting your visitors off leash.