Australian Shepherds are a beloved breed of dog known for their athleticism, intelligence, and loving personalities. When you train your Australian Shepherd to follow your commands, such as “sit,” you can deepen your bond with your furry friend. In this article, we’ll break down the steps to teaching your Australian Shepherd to sit and provide tips for success.
Preparing to Train Your Australian Shepherd
Before you begin training your Australian Shepherd to sit, it’s important to prepare them for the training process. Untrained dogs act on instinct, so you’ll need to show your dog what proper expectations are and help them understand the desired outcome. To do this:
- Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment for training.
- Gather your training supplies, such as treats and a clicker.
- Establish a positive training environment by using positive reinforcement and patience.
- Establishing a Positive Training Environment
Dogs, including Australian Shepherds, have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep training sessions brief, fun, and rewarding. Spend 5-10 minutes practicing the sit command and be sure to provide positive reinforcement, such as treats and verbal praise, when your dog successfully follows the command. Here are some additional tips for establishing a positive training environment:
- Use a clicker to train your dog that the sound of the clicker is a good thing.
- Be consistent with your training and follow a routine.
- Remove distractions from the training environment, such as toys, treats, and other animals.
Teaching the “Sit” Command
Now that you’ve prepared your dog and established a positive training environment, you can begin teaching your Australian Shepherd to sit. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Get Your Dog’s Attention
The first step is to get your dog’s attention. Call them by name or use a sound that will get their undivided attention. Your Aussie will likely come over to you at this point.
Step 2: Use the “Sit” Command
Express your “sit” command clearly for your dog to hear. Optionally, you can assign a hand gesture as well, giving them both a verbal and non-verbal cue to sit in the future.
Step 3: Entice Your Dog to Enter the Sitting Position
Show your Aussie what you’re expecting of them. Gently entice them into the sitting position using a treat or by gently pushing down on their hindquarters.
Step 4: Reward Them for Successfully Sitting
If your dog is now in the sitting position as you had planned, it’s time to show them that they did it right. Give them a treat, express positive comments such as “good boy/girl,” and pat them on the head. Let them know they did a good job!
Grab a bag of training treats for this exercise (so you dont run out!):
#commissionEarned
#commissionEarned
Step 5: Repeat the Process
Remember, repetition is key to success. Repeat the training daily to engrain the command in your dog’s brain.
Tips for Success
Here are some additional tips to help you successfully train your Australian Shepherd to sit:
- Use your dog’s favorite treats as positive reinforcement.
- Use verbal cues and petting to express good job well done.
- Keep training sessions brief and fun.
- Avoid punishment or negative reinforcement.
- Be patient with your dog and provide plenty of positive reinforcement.
- Gradually increase the difficulty of the training over time.
Avoid Common Mistakes
To avoid common mistakes when training your dog to sit, remember to:
- Be consistent with your training.
- Avoid distractions during training sessions.
- Use clear, consistent commands and gestures.
- Avoid punishing your dog for not following commands.
- Be patient and kind to your dog.
Next Steps
If you’re struggling to train your Australian Shepherd to sit, consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or enrolling in an online training course. There are many resources available to help you and your dog succeed.
We recommend Adrienne Farricelli’s Dog Training System:
Conclusion
Teaching your Australian Shepherd to sit is a simple but important task that can help deepen your bond and improve communication with your furry friend.
By following these steps and tips, you can successfully train your dog to sit and enjoy a happier, more rewarding relationship with your pet. Remember to be patient, positive, and consistent in your training, and your Australian Shepherd will soon be sitting on command like a pro.
