Adam Spivey said it makes a ‘big difference’ to your dog’s behaviour
A dog trainer says a simple training technique can make any dog sit within a matter of seconds. Adam Spivey is an expert at Southend Dog Training in Essex.
Known for his videos where he discusses dog breeds, animal behaviour, and training techniques, he started coaching animals in 2012. And he says his three-second rule is the perfect way to teach any dog to sit.
He stressed that it was as much about what not to do as what you should be doing. Rather than repeating instructions or shouting, he said the key was saying the command just once.
He explained: “Stick to a three-second rule with your dog if you want it to listen to you more. What do I mean by this? When you ask your dog something, one, two, three, by this time your dog should be doing what you’ve asked it to do.
“If it’s not, don’t keep repeating yourself “sit, sit, sit down, sit down, sit down, no come here, sit down, I’ve told you”, none of that shit. The more you say that, the more the dog stops listening. What you simply do is make it happen.
“So, if you ask the dog to sit, for example, and we know the dog’s fit and healthy, no problem with its back legs, we know the dog understands sit in the first place, ask the dog to sit, one, two, three, if it doesn’t do it, gently push the bum down, make it happen so the dog learns no negotiation. If the dog sits first time in the beginning, reward your dog.
“Let the dog know listening to you first time pays. Stick to a three-second rule instead of nagging constantly, it’ll make a big difference.”
Why it’s important to be able to make your dog sit
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), teaching your dog to sit is an ideal place to start training. Not only is it safer for them crossing roads, but it is also a useful tool for when they meet new people or are excited by something.
It is also a great starting point for further training. Dogs that can sit on command are often calmer and better behaved around other dogs and people. Once your dog can sit, it is often followed by other commands such as lie down.
“With both the ‘sit’ and ‘lie down’ commands, practice and patience is key. Some dogs may pick up the command quickly, while others might take a bit more time and practice. Celebrate each small success and maintain a positive, encouraging attitude throughout. With practice and patience, your dog will be sitting and lying down on command like a champ,” one expert said.
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