Essential Command

[Richard Crowe]

There are several essential commands: "come!", "sit!", "down!" and "stay!" which make living with a dog easier and which could possibly save the dog from harm.  However, there is one, very easily taught command which, IMO, is also essential and which can also save the dog from harm.

"LEAVE IT!" Holly was taught this command at Therapy Dog Boot Camp.  It is used when a dog wants to pick up something that the handler doesn't want the dog to pick up.  This can be used anywhere, I once had a springer spaniel who loved eating "horse apples" which was disgusting to me.  I wish I had known about the "LEAVE IT" command at that time.  The leave it command is also essential in venues like hospitals or nursing homes when the items on the floor (such as dropped medications) could have disastrous consequences if ingested by the dog. It also works when you drop something (like chocolate) that the dog should not eat...

The way I teach "LEAVE IT" is to place several items attractive to the dog (such as a milk bone treat) on the floor or ground in a row separated by four or five feet.  Walk thge dog along the treat chain and have a higher value treat (such as chicken or beef) ready to give the dog. As you walk by the item on the ground, give the command "leave it" and immediately offer the dog the high value treat. The dog will learn that "LEAVE IT!" is a good behavior and one that will be rewarded.  Don't use any leash control when doing this.

Depending on the intellect of the dog (Holly is a smart doodle and picked up this command very easily) you only give the treat if the dog has ignored the item on the ground when given the "LEAVE IT" command.

After a while, you only give the dog the high value treat very occasionally to reinforce the "LEAVE IT" command.  Simply praising the dog (GOOD GIRL or BOY!) is sufficient...

BTW:  It is far more efficient to try to teach this command when you are alone with the dog.  However, after the dog has learned the command, it works even when other dogs are competing for the item on the ground.  Holly will obey "LEAVE IT" even when there is competition from other dogs to grab the item on the floor...

[Bonnie and Kona]

I also use the "leave it" command to stop Owen from fixating on "prey". He was spending a lot of time staring out the living room window and barking at every passerby. He is doing great with settling down on the barking now, but part of the reason is because when I notice he is getting fixated on something out the window I give him the "leave it" command and he will walk away from the window. I have also used it at the beach if he is getting intense about other dogs or birds. It redirects his attention to me. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is an important command for sure.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Great advise. I have to admit that we haven't completely conquered that command yet. I definitely will try this !

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Good advice.  When Guinness was going through his Therapy Dog training the final test was that he had to walk around a ham hock which was placed on the floor.  That was really tough for him.  We were working in an Alzheimer's facility and met with the patients in their social gathering room.  There were often crumbs on the floor so this command was critically important in that setting.