Mastering "Leave It" โ A Lifesaving Skill for Your Pup!
Every dog owner knows the struggle โ your pup spots something on the ground, and before you can stop them, theyโre diving mouth-first towards it! Whether itโs a dropped piece of food, a rabbit dropping or something downright dangerous, the โLeave Itโ cue is an essential skill that can prevent mishaps and even save your dogโs life. Plus, itโs a fantastic way to get your dogโs focus back in a situation where they may react as well as to teach impulse control!
Step 1: Teaching Your Dog to Take a Treat
Before we start on โLeave It,โ we want to ensure your dog understands when they CAN take something.
- Offer your dog a treat while saying โTake it.โ
- Release the treat.
- Repeat 3-4 times until they get the hang of it.
Once theyโve mastered this, itโs time to introduce the magic of โLeave It.โ
Step 2: Introducing โLeave Itโ
- Hold a treat in your closed fist and place it near your dogโs nose.
- Say โLeave it.โ
- As soon as your dog backs off your hand, say โYes!โ and then โTake itโ.
- Open your hand and give them the treat.
Pro Tip: Start with a low-value treat (like kibble) to set your dog up for success. The tastier the temptation, the harder the training session!
Step 3: Building Focus with Eye Contact
Now, letโs level up! Instead of just backing off, we want your dog to look at you for guidance.
- Follow the same steps as above.
- Once your dog moves away from your hand, make small noises (like a kissy sound or a light hum) until they look at you.
- The moment they make eye contact, say โYes!โ and then โTake it.โ
Donโt use their name! We want them to learn to check in with you automatically.
Over time, you can reduce the noises and simply wait for them to offer eye contact on their own. As you keep working on the cue, your dog will offer eye contact more quickly because they will understand how the progression works. Dogs are excellent at picking up on patterns!
Step 4: Leveling Up the Challenge
Dogs love a challenge (especially when treats are involved)! Progress through these levels gradually:
- Treat in closed fist
- Treat in open hand
- Treat on the floor next to your foot (so you can cover it quickly if your dog tries to go for it!)
- Treat dropped from about 6 inches off the ground
- Treat dropped behind you
- Treat dropped right in front of your dog (the ultimate test!)
Once you get to the step of putting a treat/kibble on the floor, start rewarding your dog with a treat from your pouch or pocket. This way they get used to the fact that they wonโt always be able to take what is on the floor.
Beyond Treats: Applying โLeave Itโ in Real Life
Once your dog has mastered โLeave Itโ with food, you can use it for other distractions. Start with things that are less distracting, such as a leaf blowing across the yard. When your dog looks at the leaf, say โLeave Itโ, then โYesโ as soon as they look at you. If you donโt have a treat on you, make sure to reward with praise, affection or play โ use what your dog finds exciting! The goal is for โLeave Itโ to become second nature, keeping your pup safe and focused on you!
Patience and consistency are key to training a solid โLeave Itโ cue. Training should be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. Keep sessions short, end on a positive note, and celebrate every win โ no matter how small.