Does your dog really know "sit?"

By Marilyn Marks

Most dogs know the word sit, and maybe even a hand for the command.  It’s the most common thing people ask of their dogs and therefore the most likely command to be obeyed, yet many dogs do not always sit when they are asked.  Why is that?
One reason is the one we’re most familiar with:  They don’t want to listen.  They know that if they don’t sit, they can have what they want faster.   If that’s the case, we have dropped the ball on their training.  We have yet to convince them that – in this specific, particular type of situation, and that one, and that one too – sitting and not sitting have consequences.  It does not matter what method or type of consequences you are applying; if your dog hasn’t been in that situation before while you were capable of doling out consequences, and being consistent about it, the chances are the dog will choose to do what they want.
Another reason dogs might not sit is that they don’t understand what we meant.  For us, sit means sit, but for dogs, context is everything.   To see this clearly, try the following:  First give your normal command for sit 3 times in a non-distracting, normal place.  If your dog sits on all three requests, we’ll assume that your dog understands the word in that context.  Next go to an unusual but not distracting location, the bathtub for example.  Will your dog sit in there?  How about inside a walk-in closet he’s never been in?  Next, if your dog is used to sitting in heel position, ask him to sit facing you in front, or vice versa.   Will your dog sit on command when you are sitting Indian style on the floor?  How about when you lie down on the floor?  If your dog sat and did not try pawing, licking, jumping, barking or pacing first, he really knows what sit means.  Otherwise, you have some work to do….and you are not alone.
It doesn’t matter if your dog will sit under any of those conditions, but isn’t it interesting that he didn’t?   Why didn’t he?  Is he testing you, being stubborn or dominant?  No, he just associates the position with a certain orientation to you and/or the environment.  Without "the picture" looking the same, the dog doesn’t "hear" it the same.  Like you’re speaking with an accent to the dog! 
Don’t assume your dog "knows better" under untested, untrained conditions that all look like different pictures to him.  Your dog only knows what you’ve shown him/her.  When training your dog to any command, consistency in a variety of locations and conditions is essential.  Consistency means applying whatever tools, consequences and attitudes you have found work for you in class or during training sessions.   Variety of locations means applying these things when there are people coming in the door, when there are bikes rolling by or whatever your dog’s "problem" area is.