Application: Foods they shouldn’t eat, kid’s toys they
should not have, shoes, rodents in the back yard, things on the street, and any
other thing you want them to leave alone.
Teaching Method: There are some things that for which a treat
reward just work best. This is one of
them, in my opinion. Dogs like to eat things that smell and if they have no impulse control, they’ll try almost anything.
Teaching them LEAVE IT with food
creates a very reliable skill. If they can leave a yummy treat, they will
likely drop a toy or your shoes!
What Will You Need: Yummy treats! Kibble can be used to start. Increase the challenge with greater value
food rewards.
Time Required: 5
minutes, 2-3 times a day over a week or two.
Then ongoing random practice to keep them challenged.
Recommendations for Teaching
The Skill*:
Day 1, Lesson 1:
·
Start
with a treat in one hand that the dog CANNOT
have – make it something yummy. Close your hand and hold it out in front
of your dog.
· Let your dog
smell the hand with the treat. He may paw, lick, nudge, etc trying to get
you to open your hand. Don’t open your hand, just wait.
· Have other treats
in your other hand behind your back, treat pouch, pocket, etc.
· The moment your
dog removes his nose or mouth from the original hand with the treat, reward
from the other hand.
· Do this several
times (3-4), waiting on him move away from your hand
· Repeat, but this
time add the word “leave it” as soon as he moves away from your hand and as you
offer the reward.
· Repeat with the
“Leave It” Command 4-5 more times.
· Take a break
Day 1, Lesson 2:
· Follow
the same process above, but always use the “Leave it” queue when the dog
removes his nose/mouth, etc. from your hand
· Change
hands so that he learns leave it can be applied to either hand
· Repeat
5-7 times
· Take
a Break
· Practice
a few times each day for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Day 2: Lesson 3
· Practice
one or two times using the process from the previous lesson.
· By
now your dog may be ignoring your hand and starting to look at you or at your
other hand for the reward.
· Start
to open your palm so the treat is exposed in front of your dog’s nose.
Be prepared to close your hand or draw it back if needed – remember he cannot
have that treat!
· Wait
until he can pull away from the open palm, say “Leave It” and then reward from
the other hand.
· Repeat
5-7 time in this lesson, and then repeat the lesson a few more times the same
day.
Day 3, Lesson 4
· Practice
one or two times using the process from the previous lesson
· Then
move to putting the treat on the floor.
Be prepared to cover the treat with your hand quickly. Remember, he cannot have that treat!
· Wait
until he can pull away from the open palm, say “Leave It” and then reward from
the other hand.
· Repeat
5-7 time in this lesson, and then repeat the lesson a few more times the same
day.
Day 4, Lesson 5
· Practice
one or two times using the process from the previous lesson
· You
should stand up with the treat on the floor – be prepared to cover with your
foot
· Wait
until he can pull away from the open palm, say “Leave It” and then reward from
the other hand.
· Repeat
5-7 time in this lesson, and then repeat the lesson a few more times the same
day.
Day 5, Lesson 6
· Practice
one or two times using the process from the previous lesson
· Progress
to a great toy he likes, or a different treat so that he learns it’s not just
turkey or hotdogs he can’t have), but anything you tell him to leave.
· Increase
the value of the treat reward – it may be really easy to leave boring kibble,
but much harder to leave a piece of steak.
Ongoing Practice and Increasing the Challenge
· By
now, your do is becoming more reliable at leaving the object or food item when
you say leave it. Add your verbal
praise and alternate praise with treats.
· Begin
testing him with toys, by using it to play with your dog, and then tell him
leave-it right in the middle of play and reward/treat/praise. This is much
harder! Be patient while he learns and make the reward a good one not just
kibble.
· Toss
Treats near him and say “leave it” --
reward for leaving the food on the floor
· Practice
on your daily walk or while you’re outside and he’s sniffing, chomping on a
stick, chasing a bug, or trying to pick up something off the street. Use your verbal praise lavishly when he
leaves the item!!!
·
As he starts to master the command, you should be able
to leave your dinner on the floor and walk out of the room telling him to
“leave it” and come back to your meal untouched. It’s challenging, and will take lots and lots
of practice of the skills above, but it can be done.
Dana Brigman
The K9 Coach
Dog Training - Matthews, NC
980-339-8064
www.thek9-coach.com
info@thek9-coach.com
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The K9 Coach is a Professional Certified Dog Trainer Serving Charlotte, NC, Matthews, NC and surrounding areas.
My mission is a better life for dogs as members of a forever family.
My goal is create training solutions for the home owner, to rehabilitate dogs from shelters and rescues, and to prevent dogs from dying alone as strays or owner surrenders in shelters due to unnecessary aggression or behavioral issues.
Begin training with a consult with a professional trainer to be sure you're solving the right problem. Misdiagnosis can make the matters worse. Be sure that there are no medical issues at play and that your dog is not in pain, as pain can be a contributor to a new display of aggression. If you have any fear or uncertainty -- do not attempt the techniques without professional supervision.
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