TEACH THE LEAVE IT COMMAND

Teaching "Leave It" is the start to solving a variety of puppy problems.  If your dog chases the cat, pulls things out of the trash, jumps on the counters, steals your newspaper, or chews your shoes, start your training by teaching "Leave It".  Once your dog learns "Leave It", you can apply this command to stop your pup from touching something before he gets to it.  Just say, "Leave It" when he is looking at your shoes and stop it before he has a chance to touch the forbidden object.

Exercise 1. Step 1?Alert your dog to a treat in your closed fist by holding your fist up to his nose. As your dog starts to sniff or mouth your hand, freeze your hand and say "Leave It." If he continues to mouth, ignore him and keep your fist still. The second that he hesitates, backs off, or looks away, say "YES" and give him a treat from your other hand. Repeat until your dog glances away from your fist the second that you say "Leave it."

Step 2:  Now try the same thing as above but instead of closing your fist with the treat, leave your hand open and say "Leave It." If your dog tries to get the treat, close your hand. If he complies when you say "Leave It" give him the other/better treat from your other hand.

Step 3. Now place the treat on the floor and say "Leave it." If your dog tries to go after it, quickly cover it with your hand or foot. As soon as your dog stops trying to get the treat under your hand or glances back at you, feed him the better treat from your other hand.

Step 4:  With leash restraint?toss the boring treat on the floor just out of reach and say "Leave it." If he tries to go after it, prevent him from doing so with the leash by standing still or backing up. When he glances back at you, say "YES" and feed him the better treat.

Never give or let your dog have the bait treat. When you ask your dog to "Leave it", that means it is something he should never take in his mouth.

Exercise 2. Have a helper offer your dog a boring treat (dry kibble) in a closed fist, and when your dog is focused on that, you will say "Leave It" as you come up to your dog with a super yummy treat, put it up to your dog's nose and lure him back to you.

Exercise 3: Body Blocking. Walk toward the forbidden object or treat (on the floor). Watch for focus on the object. When your dog focuses on the object instead of you, step in front of him and say, "Leave It". If he looks up or backs off, say YES and reward it. Continue toward the distraction and repeat. When you get to the object you may lean over and pick it up.

Real life practice-Kick it up a notch-Substitute various objects for the treats on the floor. Continue to reward with praise and treats when your dog responds correctly to your "Leave It" cue. Take it on the road (with your dog on leash of course) and practice in different locations-mall parking lots, local pet stores, the park, etc. Take some really yummy treats along on walks and other excursions when you are likely to encounter distractions. Keep in mind that real life distractions-odors in the bushes and grass, squirrels and cats and other critters, etc. ?are much stiffer competition for you and your treats. Tell your dog to "Leave It" and be ready to reward with praise, wonderful treats and jackpots!

When this behavior is reliable, you can fade out the treats and only reward with them occasionally, but always reward your dog with praise and play-after all, even when you dont have treats in your pocket, you always have yourself to offer and you can make your praise, coupled with play, very rewarding for your dog.