How do you teach the leave it command?
Carmelo Collier
2025-06-04 07:36:16
Count answers: 2
Offer your dog a tasty treat and encourage them to 'take it' in an upbeat, friendly voice. Hold a treat in your hand with your fist closed around it. Your dog will likely try to nudge and lick your hand to get the treat out - don't respond to any of these attempts. Wait for your dog to back off from your hand, even just slightly or for a moment. As soon as they back off and there's a small gap between your hand and your dog's nose, open your hand, release the treat and give them lots of praise. Once your dog is consistently moving away from the treat, you can start to add in the cue word 'leave'. Say this in a gentle tone as they back off and then open your hand to give them the treat and lots of praise. Place a treat on your open palm so that your dog can see and smell it. Ask your dog to leave it by saying 'leave'. If your dog stays away from the treat, reward them with lots of praise and a treat from the other hand.