How to Teach "Leave It"

Why "Leave It" Matters

Teaching your dog "leave it" is one of the most important skills that your dog should learn. Having a reliable "Leave it" will help prevent them from picking up dangerous or inappropriate objects, such as toxic foods, medications, or harmful items they may find on walks or around the home. It can also prevent behaviors like counter-surfing, chewing furniture, or chasing after other animals. Additionally, working on "leave it" improves your dogs impulse control, enhances focus, and strengthens your bond.

Setting Up for Success

Before starting, it's crucial to use only food items that your dog is never allowed to have. This is because dogs don’t understand the concept of "I can't have it right now, but I’ll get it later." To maintain clear communication, "leave it" should always mean that item is off-limits forever.

For example, if you use a small piece of tortilla or bread to begin training, never let your dog eat it later as a treat. This keeps the cue consistent and prevents confusion.

Materials Needed

✔ Clicker (or marker word like "good")

✔ Leash

✔ Collar or harness

✔ Timer

✔ Small training treats

✔ A "leave it" item (we recommend a piece of tortilla)

Step 1: Introducing "Leave It"

The goal: for you to be able to drop the item without needing to cover it with your foot. Instead of going for it, your dog should remain seated and look up at you. Once they consistently do this, you’ll know they’re ready for the next step.

1️⃣ Choose a forbidden item, such as a small piece of tortilla or bread.

2️⃣ Wait for your dog to sit, giving you time to cover the item.

3️⃣ Drop the item on the floor next to your right foot and immediately cover it with your foot.

4️⃣ Wait for your dog to offer a sit and eye contact.

5️⃣ Mark the behavior (use a clicker or a verbal marker like "good") and then reward with a separate treat.

6️⃣ Pick up the forbidden item and repeat the process of dropping, covering, and waiting for eye contact and a sit.

Step 2: Building Reliability Before Adding the Cue

Before introducing the verbal cue, your dog should consistently ignore the item without you needing to cover it. This process is called capturing, where you wait until the behavior is strong before attaching a cue or naming it.

Follow these steps to build reliability:

1️⃣ Practice in different environments such as inside, outside, and during walks to generalize the behavior.

2️⃣ Introduce a variety of forbidden food items (always things your dog is never allowed to eat) to reinforce consistency across different scenarios.

Once your dog reliably ignores the item in various situations, they’re ready for the next step: adding the verbal cue.

Step 3: Adding the "Leave It" Cue

1️⃣ When your dog reliably ignores the item without you covering it, introduce the verbal cue.

2️⃣ Drop the forbidden item and immediately say, “Leave it.”

3️⃣ When your dog sits and makes eye contact, mark ("good") and reward.

4️⃣ Pick up the forbidden item before resetting the exercise.

🚫 Avoid letting your dog eat treats from the ground. If you drop a treat, pick it up and hand it to them instead to prevent confusion.

Final Steps: Increasing Difficulty

Once your dog reliably responds to "leave it" with tortilla or bread, continue strengthening the behavior by introducing more challenges by

✅ Practicing in real-life situations, such as during walks or meal prep.

✅ Dropping multiple items at once to test their impulse control.

✅ Using a variety of forbidden items to ensure they generalize the behavior.

✅ Increasing distractions, like practicing around other dogs or in busy environments.

By gradually increasing difficulty, you'll build a strong and reliable "leave it" that works in everyday situations, keeping your dog safe and well-mannered.

Need Help Training Your Dog?

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📞 Call/Text: 301-231-1907

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