Teach a Reliable "Leave It" Cue: 10 Steps to Lifesaving Training

Have you ever dropped something potentially dangerous on the floor, and your curious pup lunges for it before you can react? It's a common scenario for dog owners, and that's where a reliable "Leave It" cue comes to the rescue. In this blog post, we'll guide you through ten easy steps to teach your furry friend this essential behavior.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you start training, assemble your training essentials. You'll need high-value treats, low-value kibble, and a clicker. Load your treat pouch with the high-value treats, hold the low-value treats in your non-dominant hand, and keep your clicker in your dominant hand.

Step 2: Eye Contact & Reward

Sit in front of your pup and present your non-dominant hand with the low-value treats at shoulder height but to the side. The goal is to make it easy for your pup to ignore your hand and make eye contact with you. Wait for that eye contact, then click and reward with a high-value treat. Repeat this three times.

Step 3: Gradual Elevation

This time, present the low-value treats slightly lower, but still to the side of your pup. This increased challenge in ignoring your hand encourages better focus on you. Click and treat upon eye contact. Repeat three times.

Step 4: Raise the Bar

Lower your hand to belly button height. This will further challenge your pup's self-control. Again, wait for eye contact, click, and treat. Repeat this step three times.

Step 5: Increasing Difficulty

Now, lower your hand to waist height to raise the difficulty level. As always, wait for that eye contact, click, and treat. Repeat three times.

Step 6: Introduce the Cue

It's time to introduce the cue "Leave It." Say "Leave It" and present the low-value kibble off to the side and at waist height. Click when your pup makes eye contact with you. Repeat this step five times.

Step 7-10: Gradual Height Reduction

In these steps, you'll continue to raise the bar. While crouching down or sitting in a chair, use the cue "Leave It" and present your hand at different heights (face height, shoulder height, knee height, and on the ground). Always click and treat when your pup makes eye contact. Repeat each step three times.

Consistency Is Key

To solidify your pup's "Leave It" behavior, practice these steps in three to five different locations or rooms in your house. Once your pup can reliably perform "Leave It" in various contexts, you can start using the cue to prevent them from grabbing higher-value items like tastier treats, socks, or even more coveted high-value treats. Just be sure to reward them with something of even greater value!

Happy Dog Training!