Sitting and staying seated are two different skills. In a video on her Instagram, animal-assisted therapy practitioner Ana Güimil explains how to teach your dog to wait after sitting. The key is to give a clear cue indicating when the dog can move again.
Practising the wait and release cue
- Ask your dog to sit in a quiet place.
- Start with a short wait. Avoid repeating the instruction while the dog is sitting.
- Use a word such as “free” to show that the exercise has ended.
- Gradually increase the wait. If the dog gets up before the cue, try a shorter pause next time.
A cue the whole family can use
If several people practise with the dog, agree on the same word to end the exercise. This makes it easier to understand when to wait and when to get up.
Watch Ana Güimil’s explanation on Instagram. To learn about her background, visit Ana Güimil and the Zooterapias team.