[maxdog]

I was reading too quick and did not see the part about a gentle slap on the back of her head. It is good to see that you realize this is never appropriate. Not only is it not a good training technique but it will have a negative effect. They will start to flinch when you just reach down to pet them because they will be expecting to be hit. I am embarrassed to say I used to slap my dogs when I was younger but I have learned not to and it absolutely makes a positive difference in the personality of your dog.

The leave it command was simple to teach. Put a treat on the floor and keep your foot just over it so she knows it is there but she cannot get it. Tell her to leave it and when she stops trying to get it give her a treat you have in your hand. Repeat until you reach the point that you don't need your foot to prevent her from going after the treat. This command came in real handy when Toni dropped a whole bottle (500 count!) of aspirin on the floor in the kitchen. Max looked at it like he had hit the jackpot of treats but she yelled "leave it" and he stopped in his tracks and did not touch a single one.

For the drop it command we used a toy he liked. Let her get it in her mouth and say drop it while showing her a treat in your hand. When she drops it she gets the treat. Repeat a few thousand times (just kidding) until she drops on command.

It is not an over night process but with some patience and love you can teach them what they need to be safe.

Good luck!