How to Teach a German Shepherd to Sit

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Leash
Bite-sized dog treats

Step 1:
Start your training session right after your dog has eaten his regular meal. Studies indicate that dogs are more receptive to learning after they have just eaten.
Step 2:
Find an open area without distractions. It is especially important with German Shepherds to maintain your dog's focus on you. With any command, you should first call your Shepherd by his name. This immediately gets his attention to see what you will tell him to do next.
Step 3:
Place a bite-sized treat in your hand and let your dog smell it. She will be excited to eat the morsel and you will have her attention. With the treat in your closed hand, move your hand toward and above her head and keep moving it until you pass her head. Her natural inclination is to look up at your hand and she should naturally sit down. Reward her with the treat. As you continue to repeat the step, be inconsistent with your rewards.
Step 4:
Try a different method if your German Shepherd will not sit for you using the previous method. Instead, hold the treat in your closed fist right on his nose. With your other hand, reach over to his backside and push down to help him realize he needs to sit. With either method, he should catch on rather quickly after a few treats. Repeat these methods three or four times, but be inconsistent with your treat rewards.
Step 5:
Increase the difficulty of the training by standing up and away from your dog when you give the command. This time, use a hand signal at the same time you give the command. This should be subtle and non-threatening to your dog. Do this for a few iterations.
Step 6:
Repeat the training this time just using your verbal command with no hand signals. Make sure your German Shepherd sits when and where you tell her to sit. She is one smart dog and will know what you want her to do before you say anything, attempting to beat you to the punch. She needs to know who is in control and you need to instantly correct her when this happens. Repeat this iteration a few times and then end your training for the session.

Tips & Warnings

Keep your dog on leash if you are going to be doing your training outdoors. An untrained dog without the control of a leash is a liability waiting to happen.

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