Training your dog to sit is a basic and very useful obedience exercise. It will give you more control over your pet when meeting people and will make an overall more polite companion. Whippets like all sighthounds don’t seem to appreciate the sitting position, they seem to prefer hither laying down and snooze or be up and running. Nevertheless whippets can be taught to sit and this eventually will become their way to ask for treats and praise. Step 1 With the dog in front of you, show him a treat and move it up and over his head. To follow your hand he will eventually have to sit. If he moves backward, position him with his back to a wall so he can’t reverse. Step 2 As soon as his bottom touches the floor, give him the treat and praise. Step 3 Once he begins to associate the treat over his head with the sitting position, start using the word “sit”. When your dog begins to sit reliably on command reduce the food rewards to keep him guessing and his attention alive. Whippets are smart and soon they will learn that the polite way to ask for something is sitting first. From Training your Dog to Sit to Whippet Training page.
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