Sit
The sit position is one of the most natural things for a dog to do, and it's easy to teach. The sit command has any number of uses, from preventing your pug from jumping up on people to waiting politely instead of mauling you while you prepare his meal. You'll also need it if you plan to compete in obedience.
At mealtime, ask your pug to sit before you put his dish down, and praise him when he does. He will learn to respect and love you as the person who provides his food. As a bonus, he'll develop polite eating habits, a must in this breed.
How to Start
Before you start, make sure you have some training treats on hand. Take one treat and hold it just above your pug's nose. Slowly raise your hand straight up. He should automatically go into a sit position as he looks up to see where that treat is going. As soon as he's sitting, say “Good sit!” in an enthusiastic tone of voice, and give him the treat. Repeat these steps three to five times, then stop. You don't want your pug to lose interest in the game. You can schedule several of these five-minute training sessions throughout the day.
Once your pug starts to understand what you're asking, tell him to sit without the accompanying hand signal. It's okay if he doesn't respond. Just walk away, and try again later. There's no need to scold him; withdrawing your attention is punishment enough.
Teaching Sit with a Clicker
Using a clicker to teach the sit command is as easy as pie. Any time you see your pug sitting, click, then give him a treat. Add the verbal command “Sit!” or a hand signal (a raised hand, with fingers closed) once your pug starts to sit every time he realizes you have a treat in your hand. Give the command just before he moves into the sit position.
When your pug understands that the word “Sit” and the action of sitting are linked, begin rewarding only the sits that you ask for. Again, if he doesn't perform on the first try, don't repeat the command. Walk away.
Another way to correct your dog is to teach him a word or sound that means “Wrong. Try again.” You can use the words “Wrong” or “Cold” or a game-show-buzzer sound, such as “Aaack!” Whatever you choose, say it in a neutral, not angry, tone of voice. Avoid using the word “No,” which has a negative tone and can discourage your pug from trying again.
Practicing the Sit Command
When your pug starts getting good at the sit command, ask him to work a little harder. Reward only the fastest sits or the straightest sits. Step away from him and expect him to remain in place. Gradually increase the distance you move from him until he remains sitting even if you are across the room. (This helps you work into the stay command.)
Practice sits in different parts of the house so your pug doesn't think he only has to sit in the training area. Good places to teach him to sit are at the front door, in the kitchen before giving a meal, and out in public (the checkout line at the pet supply store, for instance). To increase the length of a sit, pause before you click. Gradually increase the amount of time between the sit and the click.
Always give praise when your pug does something good, regardless of whether you give a treat. Eventually you will be able to phase out the treats, and your pug will respond just to the praise.
To Sit or Not to Sit?
If you plan to show your pug in conformation, some handlers advise against teaching the sit. Dogs aren't supposed to sit in the show ring, and some dogs make that very mistake because they're used to sitting when their people are otherwise occupied. On the other hand, some trainers teach the dog to differentiate when it's okay to sit and when it's not by using a different lead for obedience training and conformation training or simply by practicing in a ringlike setting so the dog learns that it's not okay to sit in that situation.
