How to Train Your Dog in Real Life Scenarios
Training your dog to leave it is vital so we’ll discuss how to train your dog during real life scenarios. It’s all good and well when your dog ignores treats in your hand, but will he ignore a chicken bone? If not, take a peek at these dog training tips.
Before Moving Forward:
- Your dog will ignore your closed and open handed treats on cue.
- If not, read this article before proceeding.
- While it’s extremely tempting to push forward, the behavior will collapse and become unreliable. For “leave it,” start with foundation behaviors first, then move forward. Usually, a dog will reach the last step within a week. Steps 1-3 can easily be taught within a few days, practicing 1-2 minutes per day.
Peek-a-Boo Hand
Begin by sitting on the ground with your dog. While holding a treat in your left hand, say “leave it” as you place the treat on the ground. Keep your hand close by. If your dog moves forward, cover the treat with your hand. Once he moves back from the treat, click and say “take it.”
Dogs are extremely fast! Keep your hand close to the treat. If your dog takes the treat once or twice, then take a step back to closed and open handed games. This will teach your dog to ignore the treat instead. Never correct your dog by saying “no” or giving a leash correction, as this will only confuse your dog. Trust me, I’ve been training for a long time. It takes much longer to teach this way.
Practice 5 times, then end the training session. Keep training sessions short for maximum effectiveness. This keeps dogs from becoming bored. Practice twice a day so about 10 reps per day.
Chicken Wing on Floor
Oh, you know that feeling in your stomach when your dog spots a discarded chicken wing on the ground! Yikes, what should you do? When teaching “leave it,” it’s pretty important to scan your environment. It’s kind of hard to say “leave it” if you don’t spot the chicken wing first. Oh, and carry luscious treats. 🙂
Okay, back to the ant-covered chicken wing. Once you spot it, stop and say “leave it.” You should be standing 6 feet away, meaning your dog can not reach his object of desire. Say “leave it” once and wait. Your dog will strain against the leash. The moment he stops pulling, click and give him 3 pieces of hot dog! Once he’s done eating the last hot dog, say “let’s go” and move forward. As he follows you, click and give him 3 more pieces of hot dog. Your dog just learned to leave it alone and walk away. Good job!
Eventually, your dog will learn to ignore gross things discarded around the park, but every now and again, he may try rolling in deer poop or snack on cat feces so keep your “leave it” cue current. Hey, they’re dogs and expected to roll in grossness and try to steal stinky stuff. Have you ever watched hidden cameras of people chasing flying dollar bills around the park? Hilarious, but it’s what we do too!
