How to Train Your Dog to "Leave It"

The "Leave It" command is one of the essential safety commands you can teach your dog, and it's also one of the simplest to master.

Teaching your dog to "leave it" teaches them that not everything is fair game and is an excellent way to practice impulse control.

How Does Your Dog Interpret "Leave It?"

The command "Leave It" redirects a dog's attention elsewhere. Even though you might think of not picking it up with their mouth, when you hear this cue, a dog will likely associate this action with a turn or a pull of the head in your direction, eye contact, or a continuation of the dog's pursuit of you rather than a halt.

Leave It until before your dog has anything in its mouth. In this case, the cued drop should be used if they have already reached for something.

1. The "Take It" Cue is the Starting Point

To begin, locate a spot with minimal background noise. Put something of low value, like a piece of kibble, into your hand. Toss the treat to your dog, palm up.

Mark the behavior by saying "take it" and praising your dog if he accepts the treat. Do this repeatedly until the cue and behavior are entirely understood.

2. Hold Your Breath, and He's Still Sniffing

Start teaching your dog the "leave it" command once he has mastered the "take it" command. Again, start with a low-value reward in your hand for "leave it." Your hand must be tightly closed. Stop when he stops sniffing your hand or looks to you for guidance.

Pull your hand quickly and out of reach if your dog doesn't offer either of these behaviors and keeps sniffing it. A no-reward marker is then presented.

A no-reward marker aims to signal to a dog that he has provided the wrong behavior and should try again. While others simply say "no," some professional dog trainers prefer to make an "eh eh" noise. After showing your dog the "no reward" marker, tell him to "leave it."

3. Observe, Record, and Reproduce

Repeat the command "leave it" as soon as your dog stops sniffing the baited hand. Use a conditioned reinforcer such as "good" and the release cue to train your dog. Make sure to keep doing this until your dog associates this with the new cue. Increase the time between the "good" and release cues as your dog learns the "leave it" command.

4. Lengthen the Period

For each training session, add 10 seconds to the previous time increment. You should restart the exercise if your dog cannot respond to the "leave it" cue at a longer delay. As soon as he can perform the task correctly nine times out of ten, you can decrease the interval between the "good" and the release cue.

5. Observe, Record, and Reproduce

You can switch to practicing with more desirable rewards, such as toys and treats, as soon as your dog can obey the "leave it" cue for 60 seconds or more. Increases in reward value could make it harder for your dog to respond to the "leave it" cue. In such a case, simply use the low-value reward again until he consistently exhibits the desired behavior.

To increase the time you make your dog "leave it," you must first get him to comply with the "leave it" cue at a compliance rate of 90 percent during each dog training session in exchange for increasingly desirable rewards. Remember that you shouldn't extend the period if your dog cannot obey "leave it" for at least nine out of ten attempts.

To increase your dog's motivation to perform the "leave it" cue, you should give the "take it" cue at least three times for every successful performance of the "leave it" behavior.

The contexts where this cue is helpful were already covered. For the most part, this will occur during typical practice sessions. On the other hand, if your dog ever comes into contact with something poisonous or another animal, this could save its life.

FAQs

How do I start training my dog to "leave it"?

Start by holding a treat in your hand and letting your dog sniff it, then close your hand around the treat. Say "leave it." Once your dog stops sniffing and licking your hand and moves away, praise them and give them a different treat from your other hand.

What commands should I use during "leave it" training?

Use a firm and consistent command such as "leave it" every time you want your dog to ignore something. Consistency in the command and your tone of voice helps your dog understand and obey the instruction.

How can I practice the "leave it" command in different situations?

After your dog has mastered "leave it" with treats in a controlled environment, practice in more distracting environments gradually. Introduce new objects or situations where they must obey the command, ensuring to praise and reward them for compliance.

What should I do if my dog doesn't listen to the "leave it" command?

If your dog fails to obey the "leave it" command, go back a step in your training where they were successful. Never punish your dog for not following the command, as this can build negative associations. Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behavior.

How long does it take to train my dog to "leave it"?

The time it takes to train your dog to "leave it" can vary depending on the dog's age, temperament, and previous training experience. Most dogs can learn the basic command within a few weeks of consistent practice, but refining and solidifying the behavior in various situations may take longer.