Teaching a Dog to Sit – “Sit Happens” – But Should It?” – Should SIT be the First Thing We Teach?
Teaching a dog to SIT is often the first cue guardians teach but let’s dig deeper on this training cue!
Remember learning your ABCs? It’s one of the first thing we learn in school and life. You probably still know them by heart still today. That’s because what we learn first—especially when young and our brains are wired for rapid learning—tends to stick! The same is true for our dogs. So, what should their “ABCs” be meaning what should be the first thing they learn? I think it’s time to rethink our dog’s “ABCs” – those things we prioritize as first and most important! Why not start with teaching calmness, focus, and being neutral in our world full of distractions instead of jumping straight to “sit”? Just because we can teach sit doesn’t mean it’s the most helpful or best first lesson. So let’s pause and ask: Should “sit” really be the first thing we teach?
Does your puppy immediately pop up or lie down when you ask for a sit? That might be their way of saying, “This doesn’t feel great!” Sitting can actually be uncomfortable for young dogs because their bones haven’t fully fused yet. Still, we often ask puppies to sit 5–10 times a day—or more!
Imagine being a kid learning in school, and every time you wanted something, your teacher made you do a headstand. Or kneel. Or hold a yoga pose. Not so fun, right? Yet we often expect our puppies to perform a physically challenging position multiple times a day, often just to earn access to basic needs.
Sure, they get good at it. But what are we really teaching? That learning = discomfort? Let’s rethink that.
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Sit Isn’t Natural
Dogs don’t instinctively sit over and over again in nature. It’s not a default behavior like standing, lying down, or moving. Yet it’s the first thing we drill into them – over and over again!
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Still Not Convinced? My experience –
I’ve worked in a shelter for over 20+ years and done rescue for longer. Not once has someone surrendered a dog because “he just doesn’t sit well.”
But I’ve seen dogs surrendered daily for:
• Not listening
• Barking at people or other dogs on walks
• Being unable to calm down in the environment
So let’s be smart. Teach the skills and focus our attention on behaviors that actually make life better—for both ends of the leash.
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What Makes Sitting Hard for Dogs?
• Breed & Body Type – Larger or long-backed dogs, like hounds or mastiffs, often find it more difficult.
• Age – Young puppies’ joints are still developing. Think of a baby learning to sit up.
• Structure & Health – Joint issues, injuries, or simple anatomy can make sit physically hard or even painful.
• Seniors – Dogs are considered seniors at 7! Sitting may no longer be easy—or safe.
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The Physical Challenge of Sit
Sitting requires muscle control, balance, and joint strength—especially getting up from it. For puppies, x-rays show their joints are still “floating,” not yet fused together. Repetitive sits can lead to:
• Joint stress and pain (now or later)
• Crooked posture
• Rushed or sloppy sits
• Avoidance, disengagement, and frustration in training
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Natural Reasons Dogs Sit on Their Own
• To observe something in the distance
• As a midpoint between lying and standing
• Sometimes as a calming communication signal (toward people or other dogs)
• In anticipation of something (a learned response—not necessarily comfortable but learned)
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The “Sit Test” – Test It Yourself – Ask Your Dog
Over the next 7-14 days:
1. Count how many times your dog naturally chooses to sit when not cued, not expecting a treat, not due to past expectations, habit or training or looking at something in the distance.
2. Observe their body:
• Are the legs tucked neatly or sprawled?
• Do they sit on hard floors or only soft surfaces?
• Do they pop up quickly?
• Do they seem relaxed?
• Do they instead stand up or go to a down position?
What’s their body telling you?
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Even Studies Back It Up
One study showed just a couple minutes in a sitting position could reduce blood flow enough to impact eye pressure. For some dogs, this pose is the equivalent of us kneeling dozens of times a day.
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So, What Can We Do Instead?
Give your dog choice in training:
• Let them choose to stand or lie down when it makes sense.
• Avoid teaching sit if they’re very young, senior, or structurally challenged.
• If you do teach it, use it sparingly and never as a requirement for basic daily needs.
• Use eye contact with the name game or your touch cue prior in place of sit.
• Focus on useful, relationship-building skills like focus, calmness, and body awareness instead.
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In Summary: Sit Isn’t Bad and Yes I do teach it in my classes —But It’s Not Always The Best Thing to Teach our Dogs Either!
Let’s train with empathy, not just habit. Your dog’s body will thank you and you will be amazed at your relationship when you focus on teaching life skills that can help your dog focus and calm in our busy world.
https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/10.2460/ajvr.69.4.527
Photo credit Vladimir Srajber: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-dog-looking-up-on-grass-28830818/