A dog of any age can learn new tricks.  Your dog should be familiar with the basics - sit, lie down, and stay, as these are excellent building blocks of new tricks.

To teach “sit,“ have a yummy treat in your fingers and place your hand near your dog’s nose.  Say, “sit,” and move the treat over your dog’s head toward his tail.  As he follows the treat, he should sit naturally.  When he successfully completes this behavior, immediately give him the treat as well as verbal praise in an excited voice, saying something such as “good dog!”  When you are first teaching this behavior, always give the food treat and the verbal praise.  When your dog seems to be associating the word sit with this behavior, gradually wean him off the treats.  You may want to train your dog to a release command such as “okay!“ so he knows when he can discontinue each behavior.  As with all training, you should teach “sit” in short (10 minutes or less) sessions followed by free play.

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