I remember when I first brought Mindy my black Pug home, I had no clue how to teach a Pug to sit. It really never occurred to me, until she started jumping on people and wasn’t listening. In this article, I’ll share some of the easiest ways to teach your Pug to sit and why you should.
How To Teach Your Pug To Sit
The goal is to get your dog to sit on command based on your voice alone. In the beginning, you’ll need plenty of treats to get them to listen to your commands.
You will also want to make sure that you have a harness to keep your pooch safe and prevent them from running away, especially, if you’re training them at a dog park or in a public area. Here are some of the best harnesses for Pugs.
However, I highly recommend you avoid outdoor training sessions, unless you’re in your own yard. Outdoor training can make it much more difficult because there are tons of distractions for a dog.
Related: Why Do Pugs Sit Like Humans?
Why You Need to Teach Your Pug to Sit
Teaching your pooch to sit is one of the default and simplest behaviors to teach your new puppy. It is also one of the first training useful behaviors to help you control Fido. Dogs need to learn discipline, especially, if you don’t want an unruly family member.
Getting your pooch to listen to you will help you redirect your Pug from doing something else and put them in a proactive command. It is something that can help them save their lives and focus on obedience.
It’s something you want to tell them to do as opposed to telling them not to do something.
For instance: if your Pug starts running around all hyper and jumping on people. Instead of telling them “no no no, (negative commands) because the dog doesn’t have any commands.
Instead, you can use the sit command to get them to redirect their attention from what you don’t want them doing or behaving.
Most new puppies are uncontrollable and extremely hyper. They tend to jump on people and can get overly excited. No matter how old your Pug is, you can get them to listen to you and I’ll share the best way to get to your Pug to sit on command.
Just a reminder, Pugs have a tendency to be stubborn, so you’ll need to stay consistent with their training. However, most of them will be able to pick up the commands in the first training session.
When to Teach A Dog To Sit?
Puppies have short attention spans, but you can start teaching them the basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay and come when they are 8 weeks old.
Basically, as soon as you get your new puppy, you should start training them.
Formal dog training is usually delayed until they are about 6 months of age.
Don’t Overdo It
Depending on your dog’s age, you will want to ensure that you don’t overdo it. Training and teaching your pooch should be a fun and exciting time for both of you.
Dogs, especially puppies have limited attention spans. Make sure that you’re giving your pooch plenty of breaks which will make it easier for them to focus on the obedience training.
Pick A Training Environment
I recommend training your pooch in your backyard. This will remove unnecessary distractions such as other people and pets. When I trained Mindy my black Pug, we trained her indoors or outside in the backyard.
The best thing to do is to pick an area that your dog is comfortable with and doesn’t have a lot of distractions.
- Choose an area or a room that will give you more control over your Pug.
- Let other family members know that you’ll be training your Pug and that they should avoid interrupting you or the training session.
If you have small children, don’t try teaching them how to get your Pug to sit, until you’ve properly trained your pooch.
Otherwise, it will just confuse Fido. Once they are sitting on command by without any issues, you can teach your kids and other family members how to talk to your Pug.
Lure Training Your Pug
Pugs love to eat and you will find it much easier to train them if you feed them. You’d be amazed at what you can teach a Pug if you have their favorite food and treats on hand.
Using Treats to Train
This method consists of using a treat to entice your dog to achieve a specific, physical position. Read this article if you want to teach your Pug to lie down.
Make sure you have plenty of treats on hand because this is the way you’re going to entice your Pug. Break up the treats into small pieces or use some healthy human food such as chicken, watermelon, carrots, or blueberries.
Pugs are prone to weight problems, so stick with treats that are low in calories.
Stand In Front of Your Pug
Stand directly in front of your Pug and let them know you have treats in your pocket. Give them a few treats, to get them excited about the next one.
Once you have their attention and they are standing in front of you and looking at you. Hold the next treat slightly above their nose and between their eyes.
This motion lures your dog to sit because it prevents your dog from being able to stand. It’s tipping your Pug kind of backward and their only option is to sit.
Say the word “Sit” and keep moving the treat towards their eyes while continuing to repeat the Sit command. Their eyes will continue to follow the treat and eventually, they will sit.
Once they have sat, give them treat and praise them by saying good boy/girl. Give them plenty of attention by petting and rubbing their head.
Don’t be surprised if it takes a few attempts to get your Pug to sit.
Keep repeating the process on a daily basis. After about two weeks, you will notice that your Pug is sitting on command.
Using Voice Command Without A Treat
Now it’s time to start removing the doggie treat and getting your Pug to sit on command by just listening to your voice or using hand commands.
You’ll want to ensure that you keep praising your pooch enthusiastically to keep them excited and motivated with the training.
However, the goal this time is to get your dog to sit with your hand signal and voice only without giving them a treat.
When your dog is sitting in front of you, you’ll want to hold your hand above their nose as you did except this time you won’t have a treat. Your goal is to get your Pug to sit by voice command only or using a hand signal.
I used to point to the ground to get Mindy to sit. However, you can associate any type of hand signal you choose.
Hold your hand above your dog’s nose like you did with the treat. However, this time you’re just using your voice and the hand signal to get them to sit.
Repeat the command “Sit” while using the hand signal. Once your pooch sits, give them plenty of praise and petting.
Eventually, they will understand the command “sit” and will not expect a treat.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with giving them a random treat if your Pug is listening.
After all, you always want to reward good behavior.
Releasing The Command
The release command will prevent your pooch from breaking the sit command because they are bored.
For example, when you get your Pug to sit, you can say the word “yes” to understand that it’s okay for them to come out of the sit command.
Once they understand the word “yes” is the word that releases her from the command, you can reward that behavior as well.
I’d suggest giving them a reward such as a pet, treat, toy or belly rubs.
The sit command implies that your dog should stay until she hears the word “yes.” This prevents you from having to say “sit and stay.”
Instead, your pooch will sit and wait for the release command.
Never Use Old Fashioned Training Techniques
Pugs are smart and there’s absolutely no reason to rely on the old fashioned training techniques such as:
- Standing on the leash in order for your dog to lie down.
- Pulling up on the leash in order to get your dog to stand up.
- Avoid yelling at your dog in a stern voice. Pugs don’t respond well to negative reinforcement and you will just scare them.
Dogs are very smart and you want to base your training on communication with your pooch.
Final Word On Teaching Your Pug To Sit
It’s important to be persistent with your training. It will take some dogs more training practice sessions than others.
If you have an energetic puppy, you will realize that it can be hard to get them to focus. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and speak in a calming voice.
One of the best ways to train an extremely energetic puppy is to train them after they have had plenty of exercise.
Before you know it, you’ll have a well-disciplined pooch that sits pretty on command. Eventually, you’ll be able to sit beside you, sit from a down position and etc.
It’s not hard to teach your Pug new tricks. All it takes is time and plenty of treats!
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog doesn’t like sitting on tile flooring? Some dogs do not like sitting on cold surfaces such as wood or tile floors. You can try warming up the surfaces with a hot water bottle before trying to get them to sit.
References and Further Reading
Debra Horwitz, DVM – At What Age Can I Start Training My New Puppy