Teach ‘Sit Pretty’ for Protection Against Injury

By Emily Larlham

The trick ‘Sit Pretty’ is one of my favorite exercises to teach dogs.  It is not only an adorable trick, but it has many benefits that make it a must to train.  Teaching ‘Sit Pretty’ increases your dog’s balance and body awareness.  It also builds your dogs core muscles which protect the spine from injury during dog sports, such as Canine Freestyle, Agility and Frisbee.  If you simply play fetch with your dog, it is also a great idea to teach this trick, as dogs, especially if they are over enthusiastic during play, can get hurt playing fetch.  ‘Sit Pretty’ is a trick for healthy dogs.  If your dog has preexisting injuries, consult a physical therapist to inquire if this trick is safe for him.

Most dogs do not have the muscles to be able to sit pretty without support at first.  It can take 2 weeks to over a month to build the muscles for some dogs.  To do this you can practice short sessions of teaching ‘Sit Pretty’ daily until your dog builds up the balance and strength to hold the position.  Below is a video tutorial that goes over all the steps of how to train this trick.  Enjoy!