Should you make your dog sit before giving anything such as affection, dinner, treats, opening doors, or putting on and taking off leashes? This is often part of a “no free lunch” training strategy.
I’m not a big fan of “Sit,” nor do I use it often—mostly, because dogs already know how to sit on cue or people have overly focused on it. Most dogs know how to sit for cookies or treats. Some dogs will sit out of compliance for a leash to be put on before going outside, or before being allowed to cross the street. However, many dogs do not like sitting. They will hesitate or look away when instructed to sit, especially when outside on walks. Often, this is because they are instructed to sit too frequently, in front of too many doors, or are told to sit on hard surfaces such as concrete.
Sitting is a momentary behavior. Dogs will sit and then immediately pop up. People don’t teach dogs how long to sit for, or a cue to signal they no longer have to sit. Telling a dog to sit does not teach her to back away from a door, to look at you, or to wait at a corner. Waiting and sitting are two different behaviors.
For some reason, humans like the command “Sit.” However, if you watch dogs, they naturally either stand or lie down. If they have to stay in one place for any length of time, they prefer to lie down in a relaxed way. If they need to wait momentarily, most dogs prefer to stand. This becomes especially important for older dogs and for breeds prone to arthritis or hip dysplasia. Some dogs do not like sitting at all, especially small, spindly dogs such as Whippets or long-legged dogs such as Greyhounds and Great Danes.
There are definitely dogs who enjoy sitting. They sit on other dogs, will sit on your lap, and happily sit on cue and remain in that position for longish periods of time. These dogs are usually stocky and heavy-set. Many Labradors, for instance, are good at sitting and will happily sit 10, 15, or even 20 times a day. Your Doberman, energetic little mixed-breed, or Miniature Pinscher? Not so much.
Instead of requesting your dog sit before receiving anything, think of alternative behaviors you may prefer or find more useful. For instance, instead of sitting in front of a door before you open it, maybe you would like your dog to back away from it. Instead of telling your dog to sit, you may simply want your dog to wait at the street corner. Many dogs will easily and happily wait while standing at a curb. It’s easy to teach and easy for them to do. Maybe your dog need not do anything at all. You can certainly give your dog a treat for being cute, offer him affection, or open the door for him to go potty outside without requiring anything of him.
There is nothing wrong with sitting. But if your dog balks, looks away, or hesitates to sit—or you feel behaviors that you want to resolve aren’t being addressed when you request it, think beyond it. There are many things we can teach dogs. Instructing a dog to sit is only one of them.
For more on dog behavior and positive dog training, read Training Your Dog the Humane Way or The Right Way the First Time. See also How Dogs Learn.
© 2019 Alana Stevenson. All Rights Reserved.
