Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetums  I don't mind explaining the "leave it" command. It's amazing how quickly they get this one. Literally within minutes. You just hold your hand out towards your dog with a treat in the palm of your hand. As soon as he tries to grab the treat, close your hand up with the treat in it and say "leave it!" in a commanding tone, not a shout, just a firm "leave it!" Then after a few seconds (don't make it more than about 5 to start with) open your hand with the treat in your palm and say "take it!" and allow him to have the treat. Repeat this same process several times, and you'll notice that even when you put your hand down with the treat for him to go for, he will start to just ignore your hand entirely until you say "take it!" That is when he has "gotten" it.
I use this command for anything that my puppy tries to pick up that is not good for her. She immediately turns away and starts to sniff something else or just walk away. Usually I give her a treat afterward and tell her to "take it" to reinforce that good obedience ends with a treat. But our trainer said you don't have to always have a treat at the ready. You should try to reward with a treat at least occasionally tho.
Once they've gotten the "leave it" command, then you can move on to the "drop it" command. We do this with a fetching toy usually. But for "drop it" in order for your puppy to give you the toy, you have to make sure you give puppy a reward in return. Our little girl is much too smart to volutarily give up her toy unless she knows she's getting a reward in return. |
Yes! That's exactly how I've trained it. Thanks, Sweetums.
If your dog knows that he will
always get something
better than what he's being asked to drop or leave, he will be only too happy to comply. The trick is making it rewarding enough for them to do it.