The Sit Position Is the Foundation for the Next Exercises

The sit command is spoken immediately before pressing your hand on the dog's loins. The command is again spoken a little louder than a whisper, but in a raised and authoritative tone….

When the dog sits, reward it with a small piece of food and stroke it again so that it does not feel any kind of fear of the new game, and immediately after the command has been successfully carried out, praise it with a pat and by saying the word “BRAVO”, which you link to the dog's name.

The dog's conditioned reflex to the command is successful at the moment when the dog carries out the order without pressure of the hand on the loins, just on hearing the command “SIT”. None of the exercises we do with the dog should last longer than twenty minutes, because the dog will lose interest in them. After the exercise is finished, play with the dog a little, then lead it back into its kennel with the command it has already learned, but with each subsequent time you send the dog into the kennel, stand at a greater distance from it and give the command while at the same time showing the dog with your hand the direction in which it should go….

It is best to teach the dog while it is hungry, because its interest in food, that is, in the reward, will then be at its maximum. The commands you give must be short and clear, because dogs do not understand your words but the different intonation and tone with which you say them. Always give commands gently, and, by contrast, give reprimands in a stern voice. Much more than words, dogs understand body language, so try to show the dog with your hand what is required of it alongside each command…

Humane dog trainer

Slaven Stevelić