Leash Lessons: Leave it

Build your pet's real-world self-control with praise, play, and firm boundaries. With some video of Dante and Crokell, with Beleth photobombing.

We had another wonderful training class this week. I am always surprised by how much my pups enjoy the new class, especially since we don’t use treats during sessions. Instead, everything is either a reward of play, pets, or enthusiastic praise. Also, we use minor but firm corrections. I half expected my pups to dislike the class, but nope. They LOVE it. Dante will whine when he gets put up so I can work with Crokell. And similarly, Crokell gives me the forlorn look that only a big dog Newfie can when Dante is the one at my side.

This week’s class was outside and full of distractions - with the other dogs, the road next to the class, and the instructor being loud to be heard over the noise. (And the people driving *slowly* through the parking lot to watch class. -Tod)

At the very, very beginning of class, the instructor had us heel with auto-sit, something Dante is wonderful with but Crokell still struggles to do in a timely fashion. While in the sit, the instructor walked around trying to distract the puppies. Dante’s butt was down and wiggling, but he stayed at my side. I was happy about that, but then when the instructor came right up and was very, very close.

I used the leave it command we have been working on for moons.

And Dante did it!

The little puppy looked away from the distracting instructor and up at me, and pressed into my leg, ignoring the distraction. It was wonderful and beautiful. I was so exciting to see him listen and feel him connect and trust me. Everyone was impressed, including me. Of course, then Dante got so much praise and so many pets that he was in heaven and ready to work even more for me.

So, today’s leash lesson is going to be about how we teach leave it in our house. As if you are like me and want to know if you drop something on the floor the pup won’t vacuum it up or if you are walking on the street they know to ignore whatever temptation. Not to mention in the ring.

Teaching “Leave It!” with Praise, Play, and Prizes

While, I like teaching with and without treats, I am coming to love teaching more with play and praise than with treat themselves, because I always have my hands to pet and play with my pup and sometimes I don’t have a treat. Plus, it is easier to wean off of treats if your critter wasn’t expecting one in the first place, but I digress.

When I start teaching Leave It, I have often start with two treats, one kibble and other other Dante’s favorite toy. I have Dante on a leash. I drop the kibble around just out of reach and ask him to stay. When he looks at the kibble, I say leave it and when he looks at me he gets a reward. He gets either a better treat or I play tug with him. I do this a few time, then pick up all the kibble and give it to him slowly as he looks at me.

This game starts slowly with just one piece, then moves up to more and more and harder and higher treats. Note, int the video he is on leash and is gently but firmly prevented from actually getting the treats unless he is behaving. Slowly, ever so slowly we expand what we are doing. From walking with toys thrown on the floor, or treats, to later throwing kibble or treats to Crokell or Beleth for them to get it while Dante stays in heel.

This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing us to walk past items I would never want Dante putting in his mouth.

The Process for Teaching Leave it

Set up your training spot

In this case, you want someplace where you can control how close your pets gets to the temptations. You also want to control and prevent your other pets from interrupting. (See video below.) Later, there can be distractions, but at first it is just you and little fur ball. Put your dog on a short leash in a quiet area. Place a low-value item (kibble or a toy they like but don’t LOVE) on the ground. Hold the leash so you can prevent your dog from reaching the item.

Introduce the Command

As your dog notices the item, say “Leave It” and prevent your critter from lunging at or gobbling up the treat. If your dog tries to go for the item, block access or gently use the leash to prevent them from reaching it. I tend to use a “eehh” sound like a buzzer to let my dogs know I don’t like an action.

Praise and Play for Success

When the critter stops pulling and looks up at you with their lovely puppy eyes, praise them. Say “Good leave it!” and reward with a quick game or tug-a-war or whatever their favorite game is. Dante loves any sort of play… Crokell loves a good chin scratch or even a hug.

Vary the Practice

While it is good to continue practicing, make sure each time is a little different. Have something else they should ignore, start with toys and treats then move on to moving things. (Squirrels are still hard for Dante. Motorcycles are really hard for Crokell.) Keep is short and sweet. But for all that be firm and real. The dog knows if you aren’t ready.

Now for all that the most important part is that when you vary it is still successful, meaningful and FUN. Because no one, especially a critter likes something boring or lame. So, here are three sci-fi inspired leave it games.

The Intergalactic “Leave It!” Games

High Stepping Temptation - Alien Artifact Avoidance

Set up a random scatter of low-value treats or toys across you training area. It is your job to get your critter to walk on leash, ignoring these obstacles while focusing on you and leaving the yummy danger scattered on the ground alone. When they try to take a bite, correct, but if they look you in the eye reward them greatly. Make them think a sky of rewards is falling on Chicken Little. I love this one and need to do it more in the house as we ramp up for competition.

Patient fetch - Black Hole Hold-Off / Impulse Control Fetch

Toss your dog’s favorite toy, and ask for a “Leave it!” Get them to look at you and then, and only then send them to fetch it. This one is HARD. So, start it slow and know that it is going to take a few (maybe more than a few) tries and corrections to get it right. Also, only release them to fetch or play with the toy when your critter is giving you and not the toy attention and they are calm and focused. This game teaches patience, even when excitement levels are sky high.

Hand Zen - Hide in Plain Sight

With a treat in an open palm, show it to your dog, but tell them leave it. If they try and lunge, close your hand and wait. Only when pup is relaxed and do not move toward the hand with the visible treat do you give them another treat, from you other hand. The more they relax, or longer you make them wait, the better the reward should be. It isn’t mind-control, but it just might look like it.

For the record, Dante is not chewing the show below. He and his big brother are having treats together.

Tips from the Training

• Short Missions: Keep everything short. I would only do a few minutes of leave it in the middle of a session.

• Epic Rewards: While the videos show me throwing just kibble, the dogs get rewards of tug or even better treats. But don’t have it be the same all the time, mix it up. They shouldn’t always know what they are questing for…

• Supernova Finish: Always end on a win. Make sure the supernova is on the way. Your critter should end the session feeling like a winner.

Gentle Course Adjustments

Corrections aren’t about punishment. They’re about guiding your dog back on track, like a gentle nudge from a ship’s autopilot. Notice in the video Crokell doesn’t even have a leash. I can correct him with my voice alone. Dante is still on leash. Make sure to be firm but gentle in corrections, if your dog lunges for the forbidden object after you say “Leave it!”:

• Calmly block with your hand or leash. There is no need for drama. You can correct with sound as well. EEEHHH works well for our critters. You want a sound that gives you power but is short and makes them look.

• Then guide your dog back and start over.

• When your dog makes the right choice, tell them good and provide a rewards.

The goal is for your dog to learn how to avoid corrections by making the right choice. Give them a chance to succeed! Celebrate victory!

Tip of the Week

Remember Leave It is a good trick of a human to learn too. After all you can’t go chewing on the nearest tree no matter how tasty they look…

Critter’s Weekly Question

What is the one things that is hardest to teach your critter to “leave it”? And what cosmic reward do you with you use to make them listen?

Happy training, and may the “leave it” force be with you!

~Anna and Tod