After you say sit ONCE, wait until a sit is executed by the dog (do not let the dog wander away before a sit is completed).   If you have waited for more than 20 seconds, recue the command.  Once the sit is executed, then tell the dog how good he or she is.

If your commands are often ignored, go back to treating and rewarding the behavior to reinforce it.  You may also be expecting to much.  Go back and practice in a less stimulating environement and try higher value treats.  Be sure to also spend some time doing fun activities to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.  

 A very special little girl entered our lives while doing pet-therapy rounds at a local hospital.  For the first time my pet-therapy superstar, Sir Bentley, and I were assigned to the oncology ward.  We headed down the halls and into a room where a sweet little girl named Mady welcomed us with a bright smile.  At just 4 ½ years old, Mady had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  She was frail and thin, however her personality lit up the room.

Mady instantly fell in love with Sir Bentley and they became best friends within minutes.  Little Mady loved to give Bentley treats.  He shared her enthusiasm for the treats so much that she would giggle and laugh each time he lovingly lick her hand to get the treats.  It was great fun for Mady.  So much fun that she invited Bentley to come up on her bed.  Bentley had never been on a child's bed at the hospital before and held back.  Upon her insistence (and after getting the OK command from us), Sir Bentley slowly lifted his big 95 pound body onto her bed as close as he could get to her, while being ever so careful and cautious with her frail little body.  Many hugs and kisses were exchanged that day.  The bonding continued for many, many months, as we visited Mady every week.  Each visit proved to be completely rewarding for both her and for our pet-therapy team.  

A year and a half went by in a flash.  One day, while at work, I received a call from the hospital telling me that Little Mady would soon be leaving this world.  It turns out Mady had made a last request...she wanted Bentley to be there with her.  I am a nanny so getting off work is not easy, at best.  Nonetheless, I informed my nanny mom that I was leaving-no matter what-so I could get home and pick up Bentley to give that sweet, precious little girl her final wish.  

I rushed home, breaking every speed limit, got my beloved Bentley, put him in the car and sped all the way to the hospital, as time was of the essence.  When we arrived this dear precious child was barely breathing, eyes barely open, so thin, so frail.  Bentley immediately went over to her and began licking her hand.  I asked her if she wanted to give Ben a treat, not knowing if she could even hear me...but hoping for the best.  Mady very slowly, like she had done hundreds of times before, turned her sweet little hand over to take the treat.  I placed the treat in her hand and Bentley, gently-ever so gently-licked it out of her hand and began licking, licking, licking with all the love that you can even imagine.  He then gently got upon her bed and sat quietly beside her while I stroked her hand across his fur.  It was a very moving moment.  We all were in tears.

Sweet Mady's last two hours on this earth were filled with love from all of her loved ones, including Bentley and me.