- 1). Choose a hand gesture to mean "Sit." Pick a gesture that you do not use on a regular basis, like holding an open hand by your shoulder.
- 2). Say "Sit" and do the gesture any time the dog sits on its own. If the dog already sits when you tell it, do the gesture when you issue the command. If it doesn't know how to sit, hold an item it likes (like a treat or toy) above the dog's eyes. When the dog moves back to see it, it may sit. Say the command and do the hand gesture when it does this. Do not push on the dog's back legs to force it to sit. Praise the dog when it sits.
- 3). Hold up your hand in the sit gesture, but do not say the word. Look at the dog. If the dog sits, give it a treat. If it doesn't, say the command. The dog will pair the hand gesture with the phrase. Phase out the use of the command.
Source...