Leave It

This is a great behavior that we use all the time. We ask dog’s to leave dirty things on the ground, Kleenex they’ve found in the house, squirrels they are thinking of chasing, etc. If your dog wants it and you don’t want them to have it, asking them to “leave it” is a great solution. Here’s how you install this cue.

Step 1

Sit in front of your dog with some treats in your hand. Keep your hand closed and present your treat-filled fist to your dog and say “Leave It!” Your dog will sniff and paw at your hand to try and get the food out. As soon as she gets bored and abandons your hand (i.e. moves one foot away or looks for something else to do) say “Okay!” and let her have it. Do this several times until she stops going for it.

Step 2

Now give the cue and present your fist but open your hand so your dog can see the food. Seeing the food will make your dog dive for hand. As soon as she does, close your hand. When she pulls back, open it again. You’re going to have to open and close your hand many times until you get to the point where she is looking at your open hand, staring at the food and not going for it. That’s when you can say “Okay!” and let her have it. Do this several times until she stops trying.

Step 3

Since we ask them to leave things on the ground and not in our hand, we must add a few steps. Now take your treat-filled fist and put it on the floor. Just like in step one, you’re going to say “Leave it” and wait until she stops pawing at your closed hand before you say “Okay!” Again, do this until she stops trying to get the food. This time though, don’t let her have the food on the ground, feed her something tastier from your hand. If she’s leaving kibble on the floor, give her chicken from her hand.

Step 4

The last step is to place the food on the floor and cover it with your hand. Give the cue and then lift your hand enough so your dog can see the food. When she dives for it, cover the food. Wait until she has full view of the food on the ground and doesn’t dive for it. Then you can say “Okay!” and feed her from your hand with the better bait. Do this until she stops going for it.

Your dog should eventually and very willingly back up from the food because she knows you’re in charge of what she can have. Now you’re ready to replace the food with objects that she finds enticing like tissues, sun glasses, socks etc. After she is leaving those things, stand up and try a walk by. This will be harder for her so she will probably dive for the item. Make sure someone is there to cover it or she’s on leash and can’t have it. She must think you control all the things on the floor!

Slowly increase the difficulty of the things she’s leaving until you can incorporate this on walks.
 

(Back To Top)

Frequently Asked Questions - Leave It

Do I use the clicker for this behavior?

No, this is one of the behaviors we do not use a clicker for.  As soon as your dog stops trying to go for the food in your hand, give them a verbal cue  like "Okay" that lets them know they've earned a reward.

(Back To Top)

Green Paws Training Options

We teach and practice Leave It in our Puppy Manners II and Basic Manners classes. 

(Back To Top)

Books and Tools

There are no books or tools to recommend for this behavior.

(Back To Top)