Leave it Training

Teaching the Leave It Command

This command can teach your puppy/dog to instantly drop whatever maybe in its mouth. This is a extremely important command that could potentially save your dogs life, if it ever picks up something dangerous or toxic.

You can also nip in the bud any resource guarding from developing by teaching your puppy or dog to exchange items, making the whole event a game. The 'Take It and Leave It' command teaches your puppy/dog to do this in relaxed environment so that you'll be able to gain the attention of your puppy/dog and help them release something which then can be followed up with the 'Leave It' command. Even though your puppy/dog might be distracted, or simulated in different environments.

Giving your puppy/dog a high-value chew toy and then holding onto the other end of he toy for a short period of time while your puppy/dog has a good old chew on it, will also allow them to be confident about your presence so close to it’s high-value objects.

Owners often make a the resource guarding situation a heck of a lot worse by being confrontational and threatening when their puppy/dogs refuse to give up an object. However, if you can change this process into a game of trade by teaching the 'take it and leave it' game, your puppy/dog will feel good about giving up any object he has in his mouth.

Training Technique:
STAGE ONE – The Trade

Try to start of with an object of low value and offer it to your puppy/dog.

When they open their mouth to take the object, say to them, 'take it.'

Allow your puppy/dog enough time to play with the object, and then present them with a duplicate item that you have hidden behind your back whilst playing with the original item.

As your puppy/dog drops the object he has been playing with and is in it’s mouth, say 'leave it' and then immediately reward them with the duplicate that you have in your other hand, saying, 'take it.'

STAGE TWO – Adding Value
You’ll need to repeat this exercise, when your puppydog is time after time completing this task then you can gradually build up the value of the toy.

If your puppy/dog doesn’t want to give you the higher-value toy, then straight away walk away from them, produce a new toy, and start giving the new toy all your attention until your puppy/dog is showing interest to that new toy while you play with it. You’ll find it most likely their curiosity will get the better of them sooner or later, and they will just have to come over and give up the toy they have in its mouth. When your puppy/dog does so this, immediately reward its decision by giving them the new toy and repeating the 'take it,' 'leave it' sequence.