Leave It Teaching your dog to leave objects or food alone is a very important part of your dog's training. It is a matter of safety for your dog since there are so many dangerous things that she can try to take in her mouth.
1. Equip yourself with some highly reinforcing treats. 2. Hold one treat in one hand and the other treats in the other hand. 3. Show your dog the treat on the palm of your hand. Wait until she tries to get it. The second she does, say 'leave it' and close your fist over the treat. 4. Your dog will try to get the treat and you simply need to wait. Don't say a thing and don't move your hand. Let the dog experiment and try whatever she wants to try in order to get that treat. You are waiting for the second she gives up. 5. The second your dog gives up and stops trying to get the treat, give her a treat from your other hand. 6. Repeat several times until your dog stops trying to get the treat immediately and waits for the treat from the other hand. 7. Now change hands and repeat the exercise. Your dog will show some regression in her performance at first, but it will build up very quickly. 8. Now put the treat on the floor. When your dog goes to get it, cover it with your hand or foot. Again, let the dog try to get it and simply wait until she gives up. When she does, give her a treat. 9. Repeat until you don't even have to put your foot or hand over the treat. 10. Note: You need to be concentrated in this exercise. Your dog is fast and you need to be faster than her to stop her from getting the treat!! 11. Repeat the exercise on walks, in parks, etc. Show your dog a treat during a walk, then throw it in front of her. When she goes for it, say "leave it" and step on the treat. Again, treat when she gives up. 12. Try to up the stakes. Use better treats as bait, use environmental baits such as a stick on the ground, garbage that fell out of a garbage can, etc. 13. During this exercise your dog never gets the treat that was the bait - only the treat you have as a reward for leaving the bait. 14. Be patient - It takes time and consistency to have the dog generalize this cue, but it's all worth it.
