Now that your Pit Bull has learned to follow the command come, he is ready for his next trick. Another very useful behavior that you can teach your dog is to learn how to sit. Sit is one of the simplest tricks to teach. Learning this behavior is vital because it is an effective way to control your dog and also help you set the foundation for other training to follow.

It is very easy to teach your Pit Bull how to sit. Stand right in front of him while holding a treat slightly above his eye level. Say sit and then move the treat closer to him until it is just above his eyes. You may have to put your other hand on his rump to prevent him from jumping up. If he takes a step back instead of sitting down, place his rear against a wall. When he begins to look up and bend his hind legs, say good and then give him the treat. Repeat this process again. Have him bend his legs more and more this time until he is in a full sit position before saying good and giving him the treat.

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Sometimes the distinction between training and control is too easily lost. Using commands and hand gestures, with leashes or treats, to solicit desired behavior is training. Using choke or ‘no-bark’ collars, electronic fences and similar devices is for control.

Control isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Dogs naturally have and seek a social hierarchy in which one is the alpha (leader) and in any human-dog pair the human has to take that role. The alternative is property destruction, unsafe conditions for dogs and humans, human frustration and a maladjusted dog.

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