The 'Leave It' Command: Proofing for High-Value Distractions 🏆

 The "Leave It" command is one of the most critical skills you can teach. It’s a tool for safety. It protects your dog from street trash. It prevents them from snatching a dropped pill. But simply teaching them the word is not enough.

When a distraction is really tempting—like a steak or a squirrel—the basic command fails. You need "Proofing." Proofing means practicing the command in every situation. This video gives you the three-stage process to make "Leave It" rock-solid.

We start indoors with low-level temptation. The goal is teaching your dog that ignoring a low-value item leads to a much better reward. This is the trade.

1. The Hand Game: Put a low-value treat (like a piece of kibble) on the floor. Cover it completely with your hand.

2. The Cue: Say "Leave It!" Do not move your hand. Your dog will sniff and nudge. They may try to lick.

3. The Patience Test: Wait until they stop trying. The moment they pull their head back, even slightly, immediately reward them with a high-value treat (cheese or chicken) from your other hand. This is the trade.

4. Repeat and Fade: Repeat this, slowly lifting your hand higher. Now move the low-value treat completely out of your hand. Put it on the floor. Use your foot to cover it if necessary. Always reward the jackpot from your hand when they succeed.

5. The Goal: The dog learns: "Leave It" means ignore the floor item and look to my owner for the real prize.

Now we increase the challenge. We raise the value of the distraction. We add movement.

1. Medium Value: Switch the floor item to a medium-value treat. Maybe a small dog cookie or a dry chew. This is a bit harder to ignore.

2. The Drop and Walk: Put your dog on a leash. Hold a medium-value treat in one hand. Say "Leave It!" as you drop it on the ground. Keep walking past the dropped item.

3. Use the Leash: If your dog tries to lunge for it, quickly use the leash to guide them past. Don't yank! Just guide. Keep your body between them and the food.

4. The Victory Reward: Once you're three steps past the dropped item, stop. Reward your dog with a jackpot of high-value treats from your hand. Then, you can pick up the dropped item.

5. The Circle: Next, try walking in a circle around the dropped item. Practice leaving it from different angles. Your movement is the test. The reward is the gold standard.

Pro-Tip: Consistency. Practice this drill every day. Always use the same tone and the same cue. Never let them succeed in grabbing the item. If they grab it, you moved too fast. Go back to an easier level.

This is the final stage. We introduce the highest-value distractions: things they truly want. This takes patience.

1. High-Value Food: Use a large piece of cooked chicken or steak. Put it on the ground. Put your dog on a leash. Put your foot right next to the food. Say "Leave It!"

2. The Distraction: Try to distract your dog. Gently jiggle the treat on the ground with your foot. Move your hands. Do everything to see if they will break the command. They should hold their focus on you.

3. The Jackpot for Focus: When they remain still and focused on you for 10 full seconds, immediately give the ultimate reward jackpot.

4. Proofing with Objects: Practice with non-food items. A favorite ball. A rope toy. A discarded stick. Put it down, walk away from it using the "Leave It" cue. The instant they walk past it with a loose leash, reward the jackpot.

5. The Outdoor Challenge: Move to a public park. Start near the entrance where distractions are low. Practice leaving a boring rock. Build up to leaving a discarded wrapper, then a moving squirrel. Always be prepared with your high-value reward. Only call "Leave It" when you can prevent them from getting the item.

Remember, proofing is about teaching them to make the best choice, every time.

• Never Use the Word Angrily: If you scream "Leave It!" the command loses its magic. It becomes associated with stress, not reward. Be calm and firm.

• Stop a Failure: If your dog lunges for the item and you know they will get it, don't use the word. Instead, quickly distract them with a kissy sound or a short run in the other direction. You need to prevent the failure.

• A perfectly proofed "Leave It" is your dog’s invisible shield. Practice frequently. Always reward the success. You are teaching your dog self-control.

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