leaveitcommand

One of the most popular and needed commands during the holiday season is the “Leave It” command.
This command is one that is essential and can actually save your dog’s life.

It is important to remember that our wonderful dogs are living a life with us that would be completely unnatural to them in their
natural habitat. So you can see how electrical wires, plastics, poisons, light bulbs, are all something that our dogs would never come
across it in the wild and often their curiosity can get the better of them and they can get into danger without even realizing it.

Here is how you do it!

First Step

Put a leash on your dog so you can control their movement.
Make sure that you have some of his favorite treats at hand, something your dog
will love.
Put something delicious on a plate, such as a hot dog, chicken, or anything your
dog is not used to eating but loves.
Give your dog just enough leash to get close to the food on the plate to smell
it but not touch it.
Once you see that they got the scent and they start pulling on the leash to grab
it, now is the time to say a firm “Leave it!”
If the dog turns away from the food, even for a quick second to look at you, you
take their attention away from the food by saying an excited “Yes!”
Back up as you say “Yes!” and pet the dog and give them a treat you are holding
in your hand.
Do this several times in a row until the dog has no interest.

Second Step

To teach the dog the “walking Leave it” walk with your dog and make sure to pass an object that they are interested in, or always
goes after.
When they lean towards the object, say a firm “Leave it!”
Once they back up or take their attention towards you instead of the object, then say excitedly “Yes!” and give a treat (FYI. You
should always walk with treats)
Keep walking passed the object until you see there is no interest in your dog any more.

Third Step

Off leash leave it is much the same as the on leash one, but you only do this when your dog has mastered the command on leash and
walking.
If you are far away from your dog and they are picking up something dangerous, then you can say “Leave it!” in the same tone that
you say it and mean it, and they will come running back to you and leave the object.

Important: In this command as in many others, practice makes perfect. So, make sure you practice every change you get.
Have a Safe and Happy holiday season!