Dog Obedience Training – The Leave It Command

Dog Obedience Training – The Leave It Command

The “Leave It” command in dog obedience training is one of the most useful and can be considered important to teach your puppy or older dog.

This command when mastered is very useful in day to day activity or situation. My personal example like when you walk your dog and it has dog eating poop issue or dog Coprophagia, you can use the “Leave It” command.

The earlier you start to teach your dog about this command the better.

The Leave It Command Step by Step

Here is what you need to do:

1.    Build the behavior

2.    Attach a verbal cue ‘Leave It”

3.    Generalize the behavior

Leave It Step 1: Sit in front of you dog in a familiar, free from distraction area.

Leave It Step 2: Place one hand a normal treat, the other hand a jackpot treats, your dog or puppy’s most favorite treat.

Leave It Step 3: Open up your hand that has the normal treat.

Leave It Step 4: Your dog or puppy will immediately grab it. When he does, close your palm immediately, don’t let him have it.

Leave It Step 5: If your dog or puppy withdraws / back off, immediately say “Leave It”, give praise, and reward the jackpot treats instead of normal treat.

Leave It Step 6: If your puppy or dog persists on the normal treat, never ever give to him and ignore him for few moments.

Leave It Step 7: After about ten minutes, try again from Leave It Step 3.

Leave It Step 8: Repeat Step 3 to Step 7 until your dog gets it. Remember repetition is the key to success for any dog training. And training must be fun. DO NOT PUNISH YOUR DOG. If your puppy gets frustrated, stop immediately and try again later.

If your dog successfully withdraws each time you close your palm on the normal treat along with “Leave It” command and he gets rewarded the jackpot treats, meaning it is successful.

Do remember to try on different occasion and keep on repeating the training or practice so that your dog will associate the command and master it.

For more information on how to train “Leave It” command to your dog as well as other obedience commands I recommend following this comprehensive Do-It-Yourself Dog Training Package.

Happy Training.