Leave It

Leave it teaches your dog to turn away from something it wants before it gets hold of it — a chicken bone on the pavement, a dropped pill, a toad in the garden.

It works because your dog learns that ignoring the tempting thing earns something even better from you. It is never about snatching the item away or scaring the dog off it.

Leave it is different from drop it. Leave it is for things not yet in the mouth; drop it is for things already in the mouth. Teach both.

Start with low-value items in controlled setups and only move to real-world temptations once your dog is turning away quickly and reliably. Until then, manage risks with a leash and by keeping hazards out of reach.

Dog turns away from an item it wants and looks back to you when cued.

Why it matters: A strong leave it can prevent swallowing dangerous food, medication, or objects, and helps with other animals and distractions on walks.

Estimated time: 1-3 weeks

Also called: leave it

Verbal cues: leave it

Hand signal: Brief flat palm lowered toward the item.

Supplies: low-value treats to leave, higher-value treats to reward, leash for outdoor practice

Age suitability: Any age. Especially valuable for puppies who put everything in their mouths.

Physical suitability: No physical restrictions; the challenge is impulse control.

• 1. Closed-fist game Hold a low-value treat in a closed fist in front of your dog. Let it sniff, lick, and paw. The moment it backs off, even for a second, mark and reward from your other hand with a better treat. Success: Dog quickly moves away from your fist. Typical time: 1-2 sessions
• 2. Add the cue Once the dog is backing off straight away, say "leave it" as you present your fist. Mark and reward for backing off and looking at you. Success: Dog turns away from the fist as soon as it hears the cue. Typical time: 1-2 sessions
• 3. Open hand Present the treat on an open palm, ready to close your hand if the dog goes for it. Say "leave it". Mark and reward from your other hand when it holds back. Success: Dog leaves a visible treat on your open hand. Typical time: 2-3 sessions
• 4. Item on the floor Place a treat on the floor, ready to cover it with your foot. Cue leave it, reward for turning away. Then practise walking your dog past items on a leash. Success: Dog walks past a treat on the floor on a loose leash. Typical time: 3-6 sessions
• 5. Real-life temptations Set up practice on walks with items you have planted (a toy, a biscuit), then use the cue with genuine found items. Reward generously every time. Success: Dog turns away from real-world items on cue. Typical time: 1-2 weeks

• Rewarding with the item the dog was asked to leave Why it happens: It seems the simplest reward Fix: Reward from your other hand or pouch. The lesson is "leaving it pays", not "waiting gets you the thing".
• Moving to the floor too early Why it happens: Skipping intermediate steps Fix: Make sure the dog leaves an open-hand treat reliably first.
• Shouting "leave it" as a threat Why it happens: Panic when the dog finds something Fix: Use the same calm cue you practised. If you use it as a telling-off, the dog may learn to grab faster.

• Dog dives for the item Likely cause: Task is too hard for the current stage Remedy: Use a lower-value item, more distance, and your foot or hand to protect it.
• Dog leaves the item but then goes back to it Likely cause: Reward was too slow or too small Remedy: Reward quickly with something better, and move away from the item together.
• Works with treats, not with other items like socks Likely cause: Not yet generalised Remedy: Practise the same steps with toys, tissues, and other objects.
• Dog grabs things on walks faster than you can react Likely cause: Habit of scavenging Remedy: Keep the dog on a short leash in risky areas and consider basket-muzzle training for serious scavengers.

Practise in different rooms, then on walks, with different items. Keep the success rate high and the rewards generous — this is a safety behavior, so it deserves top-tier treats for life.