Teach your dog the “Leave it” command – Never train your dog to have what you are asking him/her to leave.
Many owners struggle with teaching leave it command. The initial stages are often accomplished but maintain or progressing the leave it exercises is often more challenging.
Why?
- The item is too rewarding.
- They receive lots more attention from taking the item than leaving it.
- The transfer of the leave from indoors to outside is too great – remember as owners we need to complete our training in many different environments/situations.
- Owners often use this training command when they give the puppy/dog their meal.
- Owners may combine this training exercise with games.
How to train a super leave ‘it command’ and ‘maintain it’:
- Never give what you are asking your dog to leave – even in the initial stages of training the leave it.
- Train in different areas of the home and take it outside in your garden.
- Write your list of triggers: sticks, food scraps from bins, people who are picnicking, etc.
- Select your list which should include low triggers up to high triggers.
- Train the exercise with your dog on the lead.
- Work on low triggers to start with working in the same way you have taught your dog the leave it with treats/food.
Key points to remember:
- When teaching your dog to leave it to work on initial stages, then work towards one of the low triggers using specific items that you can bring out to work in the garden.
- Teaching a leave it – includes teaching your dog to focus on you when he/she does.
- The leave is used before the dog picks up the item – it is when the dog moves towards the item.