How I taught my Labrador Retriever to SIT
Labrador Retriever Dog Training
Here is a seven day process of how I taught my dog to sit. I have used this technique on multiple different dogs throughout my training with all positive results. Two things to remember during the next week; I like to keep my training sessions short when the dogs are young, no more than 10 minutes at a time, and make sure that the dog is having fun.
Remember this is training, there is no end, only the process.
Day 1: Motivate with food.
I like to get the dog food motivated. One easy was is to hold their bowl of food above their head before feeding time until they take the natural "sit" position. Then I feed them some of their kibble from my hand. The dog will quickly start to realize if they assume the position they will get their reward, the food. Do that 3-5 times during feeding morning and evening and that dog will be food motivated dog.
They just have to understand that something is required of them to get what they want.
Day 2: Introduce the verbal cue.
Today during feeding I do the same thing. I hold the bowl of food above their head until they sit. I'll do this 3-5 times, just like day 1. I'll then do another 3-5 times introducing the verbal cue, "sit." On these reps I will wait until the dog starts the movement to the sit position and name the action, "sit." I'll do this during all feeding times on day 2.
"Perfection is the enemy of good." – Anonymous
Day 3: Repeat day 2.
I'm not adding anything new here. This day is all about getting the reps in. By then end of today I am hoping to have 20 reps with the verbal cue, about 40 total. I might even break up feeding time. I might do 5-10 reps with the verbal cue, take a 10-15 minute break, and do another 5-10 reps for all the feeding times. That is a good start in three days to learning anything.
Day 4: Getting in the reps!
I'm still not going to vary my process on day 4. I will move locations slightly. If I usually feed in the kitchen, I will move to feeding in the living or dining room, maybe outside in the backyard. I will maintain the same process as day 3 but just moving locations ever so slightly. Dogs have an extremely difficult time generalizing behaviors, the slightest difference in a situation can easily distract them. usually holding a food bowl with maintain their attention. I like to hammer the sit cue home in as many new locations as I can, it's an important one.
Day 5: Vary the reward.
Today I am going back to the normal feeding spot. I am going to go through the same process as day 4. The difference? I am going to pepper in some verbal praise and a couple ear scratches. I will do a couple reps with the verbal cue and rewarding with food. Then I want to start switching the reward. It could be a verbal, "good boy," or a quick scratch behind the ear. Something other than a food reward to let the dog know that's what I am looking for. I will do a varying reward schedule where every other rep will be a food reward.
Day 6: Stay the course!
Today I will repeat day 5. The only edit I will consider is moving locations if I feel like the training is going amazing. If the dog is struggling with anything I will stay the course and continue the process as the previous day. Most times, all is well and the food reward continues to fade but this is a difficult process. Food rewards are much higher on the spectrum for dogs than verbal praise and some petting from my experience.
Day 7: Let's forget the food.
I want to get the food bowl out of sight and out of mind if possible. Maybe I'll put it into a different container so the dog does not recognize what it is, they usually use their nose to figure it out quicker than us humans can. I've noticed that most dogs are keen on this command by this time if they've had the reps. If I am feeding them twice a day with the minimum amount of reps, by the end of today I have 78 reps in. If those are intentional and as accurate as possible there is a dog sitting in front of me on cue.
Continuing the training
There is only one thing to mention here, the training never stops. If I can constantly remind myself that every moment I spend with a dog is an opportunity to train, I know I will get the best out of the dog in front of me.
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