How to Train a Greyhound to Sit or Down (Even the Stubborn Ones!)

Expert Sighthound Training Tips & Group Dynamics

Sighthounds are notorious for being “independent” when it comes to obedience. Whether you own a Greyhound, Whippet, Lurcher, or Saluki, you’ve likely encountered the “un-sittable” sighthound. They don’t lack intelligence; they just require a unique approach!In this video, filmed at K9 Exclusive Walks in London, I take you through the process of teaching Echo a solid ‘sit’ and ‘down’ command, moving from a quiet indoor environment to a high-distraction group setting.

Video Highlights & Timestamps

0:00 – Starting with natural associations
1:04 – Moving indoors for better focus
2:11 – Consistency: Why you can’t let them “win”
4:11 – Adding garden distractions back in
8:25 – The Breakthrough!

What’s Inside This Training Session:

The Foundation: Why natural associations and hand gestures beat verbal commands in the early stages.
Environmental Cues: How moving to a low-distraction indoor space allowed Echo to find his focus.
Overcoming ‘The Circle’: Watch how Echo tries to find the “easy way out” and how I stayed stubborn to ensure follow-through.
Group Dynamics: Training alongside our other rescues (Lurchers and Staffies) to build real-world reliability.
The 4-Second Rule: My secret for ensuring the training actually sticks.

Local Sighthound Training in London

Training a sighthound isn’t about “being the boss”—it’s about being more patient than they are. If you are looking for specialist dog training in London, we specialise in sighthound-specific care and rescue dog rehabilitation.