How to Train a Jack Russell Terrier to Sit

If you’re struggling to keep your dog's attention or motivate them, then try training at a different time. A particularly effective time to practice is half an hour or so before meals. This is when they will be most eager to please.

Give the command when you are standing in front of the dog while they are close to and with their back to a wall. This means they won’t be able to walk backwards to follow the lure, which could mean they sit much easier.

Give your ‘sit’ instruction in a playful voice, remembering that your pup will learn best if they think they are playing a game. Plus, hold eye contact as you give the command, this should further hold their attention.

As soon as you see signs they are sitting, hand over a tasty treat or their dinner. Make sure they get it swiftly and throw in some verbal praise to further reinforce the point.

Practice several times each day. But as they improve, stop guiding the dog and just use the command. By this point they should associate the instruction with the action. You can then slowly cut out the rewards.

Lead your dog into a room and capture their attention with a treat. Stand directly in front of them and hold it in front of their face. Make sure they can’t get to it, but that they know something mouth-watering is inside your hand.

Now give the ‘sit’ command in a clear voice, but make sure you use a playful tone. Jack Russell Terriers learn best when they think they’re playing a big game. You can also use any word or phrase you like for the instruction, just pick something you'll stick with.

Now slowly rotate your hand over the dog's head. Move slow enough that their head naturally follows your hand, which forces them into a 'sit' position. You can also use your spare hand to gently push their bottom down to start with.

Hand over a treat within three-seconds of them sitting down. Any longer and they may not associate the reward with the action. You can also give them some verbal praise and play with them for a minute or so.

Now all you need to do is practice a few times each day. The more often you practice, the sooner they will get into the swing of it. Once they are into a habit of it, you can slowly phase out the treats.

A clicker is an effective way to communicate with your Jack Russell Terrier. Used consistently, the sound of the clicker will act as a signal letting them know when they have behaved correctly, hopefully speeding up the learning process.

Hold out a toy or treat in front of their face and then give a ‘sit’ instruction. Make sure you give it only once though, otherwise they may think they don’t need to respond to you straightaway.

Now you need to get them into the 'sit' position. So, take the lure and slowly move it up and over their head. As they try to follow the toy they should have no choice but to sit.

As soon as they sit or nearly sit, you can click to let them know they have behaved correctly. You can then follow it up with a tasty reward or playing with the toy for a little while. Remember the happier they feel the more they will want to play the game again.

Spend a few minutes each day practicing this trick with your Jack Russell. Once they are into the swing of it, you can then start to gradually cut out the rewards. Just continue to use the clicker to let them know they are on the right track.