- What is leave it? Can be a life saver cue…
- Leave it is “the dog can’t have it”! Period!!!
- How about their toys? No, because they are allowed to have them… What about another dog? That’s discretionary, Same as a person!
- Best support for teaching “leave it” is to add those words into your vocabulary today! Each time your dog sniffs something on a shelf or pulls toward another dog that you don’t want him/her to visit, say “leave it” and get the dog in motion walking away from it. This will help teach the dog that “leave it” means to “walk away” from it, not just “look away”.
- Alternate method, called “shaping” the dog’s behavior…
- Today we will go through 3 stages. When you return home to practice, you’ll probably be able to go directly to stage three! If you are having trouble with the dog understanding, back up a step and repeat. STAGE ONE – DIVERSION
- Put some treats in one hand (your leave it hand”), and have some reward treats in the other hand. Reward treats should be in hand with clicker.
- No verbal cue at this stage.
- Open leave it hand and show treats to the dog, then close hand and allow dog to sniff and try to get treats from closed hand. Keep hand stationary until the dog gives up and looks away, then click and treat from other hand. Repeat several times. Dog should start looking away from the leave it hand faster each time… STAGE TWO – ADDING THE CUE
- Place leave it treats on the floor, lift hand and show them to your dog. As soon as the dog shows an interest in the treats, cover them with your hand, call the dog’s name… keep calling the dog’s name, until he/she looks at you, then say “leave it”, click and treat… Repeat several times.
- NOTE: Do Not say “leave it” until the dog diverts and actually looks at you. STAGE THREE – PRACTICING WITH LEAVE IT PILE
- Set up a pile of leave it’s: children’s toys, shoes, socks, extension cords, computer cords, remote controls, cell phones, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, etc. Things your dog has gotten into, or you suspect they might want to get into.
- Lace the pile with good smelling treats…
- Walk your dog up to the pile (on leash), and as they are smelling the pile, call their name (several times if necessary).
- When the dog looks away from the leave it pile and at you, say “leave it”, put a good smelling treat under their nose and steer them away from the pile. This gets the dog in motion and helps teach them that leave it means to “walk away”, not just “look away”… TAKE IT
- Easiest thing you’ll teach your dog to do, but is important as it helps establish leadership (I give you permission to have it)…
- Show your dog a treat, say “take it”, click and treat.
- Do not recommend you combine with another cue, like sit…
- Best way to practice take it, is when you feed the dog. Have the dog sit, put their food bowl down on the floor, step aside, point at the bowl, click and say “take it”.
- We will use “take it” later in training as a follow up to another cue (wait command).
The advice and tips provided in this dog training blog post are based on general best practices and personal experiences. Please consult a professional dog trainer or veterinarian for specific issues or before starting any new training regimen with your dog.
About the Author: Rusty
Rusty is a seasoned canine with a wealth of experience in dog training and behavior. With years of playful practice and a knack for turning training into a fun adventure, Rusty shares tips and advice to help every pup and owner build a stronger bond.
