The "leave it" command is used to prevent your dog from picking things up. It allows you to tell your dog not to touch things that you don't want it to have, like a child's toy or a dirty tissue or any one of the hundreds of things dogs try to pick up and chew. It can also keep your dog from eating something that might be harmful.
Fortunately, this important command is fairly easy to teach. Most dogs can be trained to "leave" even the most desirable of things behind.
All you need to train your dog "leave it" is a handful of bite-sized treats and a quiet area. If you are clicker training, you will also need your clicker.
Don't worry about this taking too much time either. Training sessions should be kept short and upbeat; about 5 minutes per session is enough. If your training sessions go on for too long, your dog may become frustrated and start making mistakes.
To start, take one of the treats in your hand and allow your dog to see it. As soon as it is interested in the treat, give the command "leave it." Close your hand so the dog cannot get the treat.
At first, most dogs will stick their nose in your hand and possibly nibble on your fingers or paw at your hand in an attempt to get to the treat. As soon as your dog stops trying and pulls away a little, offer praise (or click your clicker) and give it a treat. The treat you give your dog should be a different treat than the one you told it to leave.
It's very important that you keep the treat covered at all times when you are in the beginning stages of training this command. If you accidentally allow your dog to get a treat before you give the click or praise, it will try even harder to get the treat next time. One or two mistakes will not make much of a difference. However, if your dog is getting the treat a few times during each training session, it is going to take much longer for them to understand what "leave it" means.
Once your dog is consistently backing away from your hand, you can make things more difficult by increasing the time you make it wait for the treat. In the beginning, you should give the dog a treat the second it pulls back from your hand. You can slowly add a few seconds until you are able to go several minutes while your dog waits patiently for the treat.
Next, you can begin to move the treat. Put it on the floor a foot or two away from your dog, but keep your hand close enough to cover it should your dog try to take it. Once your dog is consistently leaving the treat there, you can move it a little closer to them.
After several training sessions, you can begin to step away from the treat yourself. A good way to begin this is to drop a treat on the floor while you're standing, and give the "leave it" command. Have a foot ready to cover the treat in case your dog makes a lunge towards it.
Slowly increase your distance from the treat over several training sessions. Soon you'll be able to tell your dog to leave a treat on the floor when you are standing on the other side of the room.
Once your dog has mastered "leave it" with treats, you can start practicing with other items. Put one of your dog's toys near it and say "leave it." As soon as the dog backs off the slightest bit, give it praise and a treat.
Keep practicing with other items your dog enjoys as well. Before long your dog will learn to leave any item where it is whenever it hears the "leave it" command.
This obedience command is all about teaching your dog self-control. After all, it's hard for dogs to resist some—okay, a lot—of things that are both good and bad for them.
To really instill this level of discipline, you might find it beneficial to take a multi-pronged approach. While training the "leave it" command, make a point of doing other self-control training. These are simple things like making your dog work for food, playtime, or your attention, by having them sit or lie down first. Incorporating those into your daily interactions and doing small sessions on leave it every day can really develop this good behavior in your dog.
Everything You Need to Know About Raising Your First Cat
Whether you are thinking about getting a cat or just adopted your first one, these are the things to know to make your relationship a lasting one.
8 Ways To Help Your Cat Lose Weight
Cats who are at a healthy weight are happier, more agile, and tend to live longer. Here are 8 tips for managing a cat weight loss programme
Heart Disease in Cats
Like humans, cats can get heart diseases that may lead to serious problems. Learn all about symptoms along with the causes, treatment, and prevention.
Is Coconut Oil Safe for Cats?
Coconut oil is touted as a miracle food. Can coconut oil improve your cat's health? Is coconut oil even safe for cats?
Taurine for Cats
Taurine is an essential animal protein in your cat's diet. Learn more about the various ways it supports your feline's body.
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is not toxic to cats, but it might not be the best choice of treat for them.
Why Do Cats Stare at Walls?
Cats can have some quirky behaviors, including staring at walls. Why do cats do this and when should you be concerned?
Patellar Luxation in Dogs
If your dog has a knee that seems to pop out of place, it may have a patellar luxation. Find out what this means and what can be done about it.
13 Signs of Cancer in Dogs
The signs of cancer in dogs may include lumps and bumps, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, abdominal swelling, and more. Signs may be mild or obvious depending on the type of cancer and its severity. Learn common signs of cancer in dogs so you’ll know when to call the vet.
Ear Mites in Puppies and Dogs
Ear mites can be a big discomfort for puppies and dogs. Learn about the causes, treatment, and prevention to keep mites away from your pets.
Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?
Some dogs eat some strange things. What does it mean if your dog eats dirt and when should you be concerned?
200 Tortoiseshell Cat Names for Your Bi-Colored Kitty
Tortoiseshell cats are a rare phenomenon and deserve a fitting name. We've pulled together 200 tortoiseshell cat names, including male names, female names, cute names, and names inspired by their coat color and pattern.
How to Manage Your Cat's Claws
Here are ways you can help your cat maintain healthy claws while protecting your furniture at the same time.
Hair Loss in Cats
Hair loss in cats is a common problem with many possible causes. Learn the causes, treatments, and prevention of hair loss in cats, also known as alopecia.
Neurological Disorders in Cats
Neurological disorders in cats range from minor to serious. Any neurological condition is a major disruption to your cat's central nervous system. Learn the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders in cats.
Hair Loss on Hind Legs in Cats
Cats experience hair loss on their hind legs for a variety of reasons. Learn about potential causes, treatments, and ways to prevent it.
Can Cats Have Milk? Why They Really Shouldn’t Drink The Stuff
Despite what we’ve learned from pop culture, cats shouldn’t drink milk as most cats are lactose intolerant. Learn more about feeding milk to cats and alternatives you can feed your cat instead.
Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
Can cats eat dog food? In small amounts, it's unlikely to be a problem, but long-term feeding of dog food to cats can cause health issues and malnutrition.
Why Some Black Cats Look Different in the Sun
Some black cats look different in the sunlight. Whether it's cat genetics, a mutation, or a summer "rust," learn why they appear to have another coat.
Training Your Fearful Cat to Be Confident
Cats can become scared for any number of reasons. Learn about techniques that can help your fearful cat and reduce its anxiety so kitty lives a happy life.
