this command could save your dog's life
There are many ways to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. You might feed an exclusively raw diet or simply a diet consisting of high-quality kibble with raw mixed in here and there. Perhaps you walk your dog at least an hour a day or give them supplements or take them to the vet often. You might feed them vegetables to prevent cancer or never take them off their leash outside so they don't get attacked by other animals or hit by cars.
Those things are all good, but what if two simple words could be enough your dog's life?
"Leave it". Think about that. Those very words could be the different between life and death for your pup. Not to sound harsh, but really, do you want your dog eating that unknown substance on the street, the pill you dropped on the floor, or the bag of grapes on the table? Such things could result in vet bills or severe health issues.
I think you get it. You're probably thinking, "okay, it will be worth it to teach this command". Trust me, it will. Plus, it's fun to train and show off, it will help you develop a stronger bond with your dog, and your dog will develop reasoning and self-control. Here are the steps to teaching your dog "leave it". There may be other ways of teaching this, but I've always used this method and from my experience it's the easiest command to teach a dog.
1. Hold a treat (preferably dry and low-value to begin with) in your hand and show it to your dog. Cup the treat in your hand or place the treat on the floor with your hand over it. Your dog is most likely to whine, lick and nibble at your hand, or maybe even your scratch your hand. Be careful with the scratching, I tried teaching this to a huge Lab once and my hand nearly bled!
2. The second your dog's attention is off your hand for a split second-maybe they look away or sit or stop their behavior for a moment-pick up that treat and give it to your dog. Give lots of praise and love. Do not let them eat their reward off the floor, you want them to know you're rewarding them, not the floor.
3. Continue the previous two steps several times until your dog starts to catch on.
4. Place the treat on the floor and say "leave it". Your dog won't associate the word with the behavior yet, but they should have learned to leave the treat already and the word will make sense soon.
5. Repeat the previous step many times.
Over days, weeks, or months when your dog is really getting the hang of things, slowly begin using more high-value rewards (moist treats, bits of chicken, a piece of cheese, a favorite toy) and placing the reward in different places (on your dog's paws, maybe on his nose, on a table, in your hand).
You can also make things more casual by throwing the treat or toy and saying "leave it". If your dog can take that, they'll likely be more attentive in everyday situations. Work your way outside and in busy situations with this command so your dog will truly be ready for anything.
I hope this has helped!
Those things are all good, but what if two simple words could be enough your dog's life?
"Leave it". Think about that. Those very words could be the different between life and death for your pup. Not to sound harsh, but really, do you want your dog eating that unknown substance on the street, the pill you dropped on the floor, or the bag of grapes on the table? Such things could result in vet bills or severe health issues.
I think you get it. You're probably thinking, "okay, it will be worth it to teach this command". Trust me, it will. Plus, it's fun to train and show off, it will help you develop a stronger bond with your dog, and your dog will develop reasoning and self-control. Here are the steps to teaching your dog "leave it". There may be other ways of teaching this, but I've always used this method and from my experience it's the easiest command to teach a dog.
1. Hold a treat (preferably dry and low-value to begin with) in your hand and show it to your dog. Cup the treat in your hand or place the treat on the floor with your hand over it. Your dog is most likely to whine, lick and nibble at your hand, or maybe even your scratch your hand. Be careful with the scratching, I tried teaching this to a huge Lab once and my hand nearly bled!
2. The second your dog's attention is off your hand for a split second-maybe they look away or sit or stop their behavior for a moment-pick up that treat and give it to your dog. Give lots of praise and love. Do not let them eat their reward off the floor, you want them to know you're rewarding them, not the floor.
3. Continue the previous two steps several times until your dog starts to catch on.
4. Place the treat on the floor and say "leave it". Your dog won't associate the word with the behavior yet, but they should have learned to leave the treat already and the word will make sense soon.
5. Repeat the previous step many times.
Over days, weeks, or months when your dog is really getting the hang of things, slowly begin using more high-value rewards (moist treats, bits of chicken, a piece of cheese, a favorite toy) and placing the reward in different places (on your dog's paws, maybe on his nose, on a table, in your hand).
You can also make things more casual by throwing the treat or toy and saying "leave it". If your dog can take that, they'll likely be more attentive in everyday situations. Work your way outside and in busy situations with this command so your dog will truly be ready for anything.
I hope this has helped!
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