The dog explores with its mouth and sadly this can lead to disastrous results. A useful command is “leave it” (or whatever word/words you care to use) to tell the dog to not pick something up with its mouth.

This is a command that take some preparation and creating a tempting situation for the dog to learn. The following are necessary:

• a flat collar
• a six foot leash
• a tennis ball
• pieces of wiener
• your dog’s favorite toy
• and anything else that your dog likes to have in its mouth

You will have to select your location first and ’seed’ this training site with the ball, the pieces of wiener, dog toy and so forth. You want to create as tempting an environment as possible.

Now, with the training site prepared, place the collar on the dog and attach a six foot training leash. The task will be to walk the dog past these temptations and teach what “leave it” means. This will require careful observation and good timing on your part.

Walk the dog on a relaxed lead. However, it should be tight enough to change the dog’s direction with one motion. The lead has to be relaxed enough so that your tension is not transmitted down the leash. The slack in the lead gives the dog the opportunity to begin to make an error. It may take some trying and experimenting to find the correct hand position on the leash.

When you are walking your dog past a piece of wiener, the dog may drops its head and start to move toward the piece of wiener. It is at this exact moment that you want to say “leave it” and pop the leash in an upward direction. The pop on the leash does not have to be harsh. It is just to prevent the motion toward the food. The dog will not be able to reach the piece of wiener.

When you say “leave it”, say it like you mean it. This is serious and your tone should convey that to the dog. This is a command - not a request. As soon as you see that the motion has changed away from the direction of the food (or other temptations) you must praise. Tell that dog how wonderful it is. Look for these opportunities to praise. If the dog walks by the temptation without a reminder to “leave it”, then praise!

There is a reason why the command is “leave it” instead of “no”. Most dogs learn quickly that “no” means to stop - that something is wrong. Well, in this case, the dog has done nothing wrong. It might do something wrong but it hasn’t done it - yet. Therefore, “no” would be misused in this case. You do not want to stop the dog completely. For instance, you do not want the dog to stop walking. However, you want the dog to do something actively. There is a huge difference and this difference will not be lost upon the dog. “Leave it” makes it clear to the dog what you want - and what “leave it” means.

Now, to close the training session, you go pick up a piece of wiener and give it to the dog. Some people will disagree with this and say that the dog should never eat anything from the ground. The rationale for giving the dog a piece of wiener is that it reaffirms that you are the pack leader. The dog will learn that sometimes the treat will be forthcoming but only from you - by your hand and with your permission. It decreases the dog’s frustration and it states, in no uncertain dog terms, that you are the leader and that you will decide. And keep in mind the use of different locations. This exercise must be practiced and proofed in many locations.

Soon, you will be a good ‘dog reader’. You will know by the dog’s body language that something interesting has come upon the dog’s senses. And you can allow the dog to explore because you can stop it from putting anything in its mouth with a quick phrase. When you can read the dog, you will have taken a huge step toward preventing possible problems.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: dog training, dogs, leave it, security, prevention, praise, pack leadership