What you will need:

• Treats
• Clicker
• Patients – training sessions can last 5-20 min or more! If you or your dog are getting frustrated or tired try again later.

 Command ~ “sit”

1. When training a new command the best way to start is inside without distractions.
2.  You will want to start your dog standing in front of you. Let your dog smell the treat in your hand and lure his nose up and back to a sit.
3. Once your dog sits click and reward!
4. Repeat 20 times! Next you can add the command “sit”. Repeat 10 times!
5. Now use only the command “sit” and not the lure of the treat. Click exactly when your dog sits and treat.
6. Once sitting on command click and treat every other time ! This will teach your dog that they won’t get a treat every time. That way they listen to YOU instead of a treat!
7. Then you can add distractions such as a ball or a treat thrown. If your dog sits, instead of chases the distraction, click and treat.
8. Once your dog is fully trained inside, you can repeat these steps outside.

Release Command ~ “leave”

1. Introduce this command inside without distractions. After a week or so of learning sit, you can teach the release command. I use the command”leave”. Have your dog sit and while saying “leave” take a step back to have your dog get up out of sit. The second your dog gets up click and treat ! This will teach him sit means sit and stay! Without the command stay!
2. Slowly increase the duration and distance of sitting before the release. Then you can add distractions such as a ball or a treat thrown. If your dog sits, instead of chases the distraction, click and treat.
3. Once your dog is fully trained inside, you can repeat these steps outside.

Other tips:

• When should I train “sit”? I would recommend about 10-20 min a day to train a sequence of sit and other commands. Also before every meal you can have your dog sit and work for their food!

• Once your dog is trained to “sit” and “leave” on command. You only need click and treat for the command “leave” every other time.

• What if my dog gets out of sit before I command “leave”? When your dog releases without being told simply say no and have him sit again. Command “leave” right away. Click and reward!

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