Mastering "Leave it" - your dogs daily essential safety tool

Duke and Cali investigating a crab at the beach for the first time.

Mastering "leave it" protects your dog and improves their behavior in everyday situations. This crucial cue helps prevent them from interacting with:

• Hazards: Toxins, sharp objects, medications.

• Unwanted Items: Dropped food, garbage, personal belongings.

• Potential Conflicts: Wildlife, other animals, roadkill.

• Over-Excitement: Jumping, rushing.

Beyond safety, "leave it" builds self-control, focus, and strengthens your bond.

Quick Guide to "Leave It" Training:

Step 1: Closed Hand

1. Present food inside a closed fist.

2. The instant your dog stops trying and looks away, reward them with a treat from your other hand by lightly tossing it on the floor.

3. Repeat about five times.

4. Once your dog seems to get it, start adding the verbal cue “leave it” when you first present your fist of food.

   
   

Step 2: Tempting floor

1. Start with your dog in a “sit” or “down” position

2. Present the good item on the floor, close enough for you to step on it if your dog decides to go for it. As you place it on the floor say “leave it”

3. The moment your dog looks away, Mark( =make a “clicky noise”) and reward them immediately by tossing a treat in the opposite direction.

4. Repeat five times.

   
   

Step 3: Objects in Motion

1. With your dog on a leash, in a “Sit Stay” (step on leash if you need too), gently toss a treat or toy a short distance.

2. As you toss it, say "Leave it" clearly. The instant they look away from the tossed item, Mark (“clicky noise”) and reward by tossing a treat in the opposite direction.

3. Repeat about five times with various objects (ball, tissue, shoe), and practice in different environments (quiet walk, or busy park) to help them generalize the cue.

   
   

Make it Fun! "Leave It" Games:

• Treat Tower: For this engaging challenge, gently place a tempting treat near your dog – this could be right on their paw, your toes (only if your dog is very gentle!), or even just on the floor very close to them. Clearly say your magic words, "Leave it!" The very instant your pup looks away from that close-by treat, immediately shower them with enthusiastic praise and offer a different, even more exciting reward from your opposite hand away from the treat you told them to just leave. This playful exercise helps them build strong impulse control, even when something desirable is right under their nose (or paw!).

  
  

• The Freeze Game: Grab one of your dog's favorite toys and attach it to a string or hold it in your hand. Make the toy wiggle, bounce, and dance to capture their attention and spark their chasing instincts. Then, suddenly stop all movement of the toy and clearly say our magic words, "Leave it!" When your wonderful doggo disengages their focus from the still toy and looks back at you, reward them with enthusiastic praise and a high-value treat. This game is fantastic for helping them learn to control those natural urges to chase and grab moving objects, teaching them that listening to your cue brings a better outcome.

  
  

Key to Success:

• Use the same "leave it" cue consistently.

• Keep training sessions short, fun, and positive.

• Be patient and persistent; consistency is key to building a reliable response.

With consistent training and these engaging games, "leave it" will become a natural and essential response for your dog, making your daily adventures together safer and more enjoyable!

Happy training!

Warm wags,

Trisha