When your dog finally sits, you should really let him know he's done well.

We’ve told you punishment and coercion do not work and hope you have believed us. We’ve heard of dogs looking guilty when you are angry at them.

That guilty look is the dog’s reaction to a person’s threatening body language and it would react that way even if it has been an angel. So this is how you should set up a dog to succeed and show him he’s got it right.

Firstly, we’ll be training for a sit. Get your dog’s favourite treats out and keep them handy.

Step 1: Lure – If you put your hand full of treats in front of your dog’s nose and slowly drag them just over his head, he will have to sit on the floor if he wants to continue following the hand with the treats in it. As soon as the dog sits down, you need to tell him he has been a clever dog and give him the treat. Do this several times, so the dog catches onto the pattern.

Step 2: Make him think – If you have done it enough times, your dog should now understand that butt on the floor is followed by a reward. Let him think without luring him into a sit. When he finally sits on the floor, you should really let him know he’s done well and give an extra treat so he is encouraged to do it again and quicker next time. If your dog doesn’t give you a sit at this time, go back to step one. Do this several times so your dog gets quicker at it.

Step 3: Give it a name – When you’ve repeated step two so many times that the dog sits every time he knows there are treats to be had, you can start saying ‘sit’ less than a second before the dog’s butt hits the floor. This way he always sits when he hears the command. Repeat this as many times as you can so your dog really associates the command with the action.

Step 4: Practise everywhere – Dogs are not good at generalising commands from one place to another; when you’re outside there are many sights, smells and sounds competing for his attention. You may need to start from step one in every new place you practise but this will help your dog be predictable everywhere you go.

Step 5: Phase out the treats – you’re not going to have to carry treats everywhere you go with your dog, so you need to condition him to work for you even without them.

If you reward every random number of successful sits, you will be making a gambler out of your dog and he’ll do what you want just in case the next one gets him his beloved bites. Reward once in a while, as dogs too need motivation.

To learn more, visit www.dogtrainingmadeeasy.org or call 2142 1500 or 7771 1100. Christina Pace is an education officer at Dogs Trust Malta.