06/01/2026
You need this skill!
Leave it is such an important skill for all dog owners, but especially owners with young kids!
They may drop grapes, vitamins, medications, and more that could be dangerous for your dog to consume!
Here’s how to start this skill:
1️⃣ Have a low value treat or kibble on the ground with your hand covering it. Say ‘leave it’ and then “yes” the moment your dog moves away or turns away from the food and reward with another treat (higher value ideally).
2️⃣ Once step 1 is easy, you can start to make your hand into a cage over the kibble/treat on the ground. The food is slightly more visible to your dog now. You will say “leave it” and as soon as they disengage, “yes” and treat. If they try to get to the food, close your hand over food.
3️⃣ Once step 2 is easy, you will have the food sitting on the floor with full visibility. When you set the food on the ground, you will say “leave it” and “yes” and treat for disengagement. If your dog goes towards the food, close your hand over it like in step 1.
4️⃣ Now you will drop a treat on the ground (ideally closer to you and away from your dog so you can easily cover it, if they try to go for it). As you drop the treat, say “leave it” and “yes” and treat for disengagement.
TIP: Look for your dog to look away from the food on the ground. (Up, to the side, to you, etc). We don’t want them just to back up and stare at it.
TIP: Make sure your dog NEVER gets the food we are asking them to leave, that way you can use this skill in an emergency if needed.
💿 Save these tips for later training and share with a friend who could use these tips with their pup!
