Obviously, your puppy or adult boxer knows how to sit. He just doesn't know that the command for resting on his haunches is “Sit,” and he can't know how to respond to your command without training. Trainers in the good old days used to push on a pup's haunches to get him to sit. However, trainers today know that if you control the head, you control the dog, so inducing your pup to sit is probably the most effective thing you can do.

You need to begin your training session when your puppy is alert, but not too bouncy or too inclined to want to take a nap. You need your pup to be able to concentrate. You will need several pieces of a particularly tasty treat, something that he wouldn't ordinarily be eating — maybe last night's leftover steak.

Have several pieces of the treat in your hand, and use one to get your pup's attention. When he is focusing on the food, draw your hand back over his head between his ears. His nose should follow the treat like a homing device. As your pup's head follows the treat, his rear should suddenly shift and drop to a sitting position. Praise immediately and say, “Good sit!,” offering the treat as a reward for sitting.

If he doesn't sit, don't worry. Keep at it until he does, then give the treat with lots of praise. Your boxer will quickly figure out that sitting is good. Practice this several times until you think that your pup knows what the command means. Then say the word “Sit” along with drawing the treat back over his head. When he does, praise mightily, and let it go until tomorrow.

At your next training session, you will pick up where you left off, and by progressing in small increments, you'll find that in just a few days, your boxer puppy will sit at any time. That's when you start to stop moving your hand over his head and start to randomize the rewards. As you randomize by occasionally not giving treats, be sure that you still praise enthusiastically. Only use food as a lure and as a way to help clarify any exercise for your pup. The truth is that he will work for praise. But don't fall into the bad habit of expecting your boxer to continue to want to work without at least his payment of praise. By not continuing to praise, you risk losing his interest in interacting in this way with you. After all, what's in it for him?