How to Train a Rottweiler Puppy to Sit

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How to Train a Rottweiler Puppy to Sit

Easy

1-2 Weeks

General

Introduction

Training a Rottweiler from puppyhood will create a well-trained successful adult dog. You can start training simple commands such as 'sit' with your Rottweiler puppy as early as six weeks of age. Some Rottweilers are trained to be guard dogs, but yours may simply be a pet at home. Either way, expect your dog to be affectionate and friendly with the people he knows. He will be easy to train because he's incredibly intelligent. However, your Rottweiler will want some rewards for learning new tasks. Training your Rottweiler to sit as a puppy sets him up for basic obedience training as well as advanced training in the months and years to come.

Basic obedience training is the foundation for all of the training your Rottweiler will receive over the course of his lifetime. One of the most common things you will ask your dog to do is to sit. This is often the first command dog owners teach their puppies, and each command moving forward will build on the foundation of basic obedience commands including 'sit'.

Defining Tasks

When you begin to train your Rottweiler puppy, you are immediately establishing dominance within the pack. Your Rottweiler needs to know that you are the leader of the pack and you will be teaching him your expectations in the form of commands and expecting him to follow through with good behavior. Setting examples of good behavior will start with teaching your little guy easy tricks and rewarding him when he succeeds. Positive reinforcement training is a way to communicate to your puppy that he is doing a good job because he can earn a treat anytime he is successful. The command to sit is an easy command, but since your puppy is so young, it's a great place to start to show him how he can earn rewards for this training as well as training in the future.

Getting Started

Because the command to sit is an easy command, be sure you have some treats on hand to give to your puppy when he is successful. Consider scheduling some distraction-free training time for your little guy to learn this command and keep your sessions short and rewarding.

The Carrot on a Stick Method

Effective

0 Votes

Step

Treat

You might be surprised at just how much your pup will like carrots, raw or cooked, but you can use any high-value tasty treat as a lure to get your Rottweiler to sit. Get ready for a short training session with your pup by showing him a treat.

Step

Stand

Put yourself in front of your pup by standing directly in front of his face.

Step

Hold treat up

Hold the treat you’ve shown your dog and slowly move it over his head and back toward his tail.

Step

Follow treat

Your dog will likely follow the trail of the treat back. As he does, he will sit back on his haunches.

Step

When he sits

As soon as your pup sits down, say the command ‘sit,’ and give him the treat. Repeat this several times the same way until he is sitting as soon as he sees the treat.

Step

Command only

When he is sitting on a consistent basis, start using only the command and stop luring him with the treat to sit. When you say the command, he should sit. Once he does, give him the treat.

Step

Practice

Keep practicing. Sit is a command you will use often. It is the gateway command to 'down', which should be the next thing you teach your Rottweiler.

The Click and Sit Method

Effective

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Step

Treat

Get ready for training by showing your pup a treat he can earn by sitting. Stand or sit in front of your little guy and entice him with energy and a treat.

Step

Say name

Say your puppy’s name and give him the positive reward of a click and treat if he looks your way or acknowledges that you spoke to him.

Step

Second treat

Get another treat ready and show it to your pup. Take this treat and hold it up over his head. He will tip his head back to look at it, hoping to catch it as it falls.

Step

Move treat

Slowly move the treat toward the back of his head. He will slowly sit down as he tips his head further back.

Step

Command

As he sits back, give your command to sit.

Step

Click and treat

Be sure to give your little guy the reward of marking the behavior with a click and the tasty treat.

Step

Practice

This is an easy trick, but be sure to practice it a bit before moving to only using the command and not showing your puppy a treat until he earns that click and treat reward. Give it time and practice, he will get it. Once your puppy knows the command to 'sit' well, move on to your next command. Keep your pup engaged with small training sessions.

The Stop and Wait Method

Effective

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Step

Engage

Keep your puppy entertained while playing with him. Talk to him and use his name often.

Step

Command

As you are playing, stop, hold the toy you are playing with up over his head and ask him to sit.

Step

Stop

He might look at you with his cute puppy head tilt, but be patient. He will eventually sit down while waiting for you to hand over the toy.

Step

Sitting

When he does this, say the command "sit" again and give him a reward for doing so.

Step

Keep it going

Keep playing and engaging your Rottweiler puppy. Stop every now and then and hold the toy up, encouraging him to pause and sit. After your pup gets the hang of this using the 'stop and wait' method with the toy, begin to use the command to ask him to sit. If he’s comfortable in what’s he’s learned he’ll do it right away. If not, keep practicing.

Step

Rewards

Be sure you are rewarding your puppy with some tasty treats each time he sits when asked.

How to Train a Rottweiler Puppy to Sit

Introduction

Defining Tasks

Getting Started

Success Stories and Training Questions