When we teach our dog the leave it , at the same time, we are helping him develop self-control.  The leave it cue can be used to let your dog know how to back away from something he want

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Introducing the Concept of Leaving Something

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1. Have a treat in both of your hands.

2. Hold one hand behind your back and present your other hand to the dog, closed, with a treat inside.

3. Let your dog sniff your closed hand. When he realizes you have a treat, he is going to try to get it. He may try to paw on your hand to get the treat. If he does, stay still and don’t move your hand away. 

4. Your dog will give up eventually, and move his head from your hand for a second.  

5. In this second, say good and give him a treat from your other hand. 

 

Here, we are rewarding our dog for moving his head away from something he wants.

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Adding the Leave it Cue 

 

To add the leave it cue, your dog must back away from your baited hand when you present it 95% of the time, without trying to get the treat.

Say, leave it before you present your baited hand. If your dog doesn’t try to get the treat, say good and give him a treat from your other hand.

Remember, never let your dog have the treat you are asking him to leave.  If he gets it, say no, and stop the training for five minutes, and take the treats out of the training area  

 

Improving the Leave It Cue

Leave it with open hand 

Leave it with food on the floor, toys, etc.

REMEMBER DO NOT LET YOU’R DOG GET WHAT YOU ASK HIM TO LEAVE