But my dog can sit at home!!!!!!

I hear comments like this all the time. "I know my dog understands the word sit, he sits at home when I have a treat all the time."

First off, GOOD JOB! You have started training and your using rewards to help your dog learn and build your bond.

What is different about dogs' brains than people is that they do not generalize things very well. If you teach a child their ABC's over a month period at the kitchen table every morning, then you go to grandma's house and your child will gladly and proudly say their ABC's to Grandma. Take the same scenario and teach your dog to sit over a month period at the kitchen every morning and he won't be able to sit when you go outside. WHY?!?
Dogs are very sensitive to the visual environment around them. They initially learn that sit is connected to the morning light, kitchen table, and treats. We must after training sit in the kitchen train sit outside, at night, with other people around, etc etc. And then without treats.... Then our dog understands that the ONLY qualifier for the action of "put butt on the ground" is the vocal sound "sit."

This way we end up with a dog that listens to us, wherever we are.

Good Training
Kat Berger