It is a common misconception that dogs understand the sit command without training.  This is generally due to trail and error learning whereby, your dog picks up the cue or reads your body language over time.

1. Offer your puppy or dog a treat.  As they take the treat tell them ‘good’.
2. Repeat this regularly until you say ‘good’ and your dog look’s for a treat.
3. Your dog will now know that ‘good’ means they are doing something you like.
4. Take the treat and put it on the end of their nose with your dog facing you.
5. Slowly raise the treat upwards and backwards (over their head).
6. Your puppy will follow the treat with his nose and automatically their bottom will go to the ground.
7. Your dog should now be in the sit position so tell him ’sit’ followed by ‘good’ and give him the treat as you do so.
8. Repeat this for three minutes, five times a day for around three days.
9. After three days stand tall and with the same gesture but the treat further away repeat the process, do this for a further three days.
10. Now you are ready to put the treat in your other hand or out of sight ask your dog to ’sit’ (you may have to give your dog a bit of time to process the change).
11. When your puppy sits tell him ‘good’ and immediately reward.
12. Practice this daily and your dog will be sitting, on command every time.

Simple!