Training a Dog to Drop an Object in Her Mouth

At first glance, training a dog to drop an object from its mouth may seem useless, especially if the dog is not going on to the hunting field where retrieving is a major requirement. But teaching your dog to drop an object can save the dog's life. Puppies will place anything in their mouths, including poisonous objects. Teaching them the "Leave it" command can save the puppy's life.

For example, when my British mongrel Pony was about six months old, she found half a Mars bar on the sidewalk. Eating it could have gotten her very ill. But she obediently dropped the Mars bar at my command. I fussed over her for that.

Decide on the Command

If you live in a multi-person household, everyone needs to use the same short verbal command to get a dog to drop an object from its mouth. It only confuses the dog if one person says, "Drop it," another says, "Leave it" and yet another growls like an angry wolf. Pick one verbal command and stick with it. This writer uses the command phrase "leave it."

Choose a High Value Object

Dogs learn best if they are set up to win. In order to encourage the dog to let go of what is in its mouth, you need to offer an alternative that's even better than the object in the dog's jaws. Puppies are especially transfixed by squeaky toys. Some food-motivated breeds of dog like the Labrador retriever or the beagle will work wonders for a favorite food treat like cheese. Only use this treat or toy during training sessions in order to make the object that much more special.

The First Sessions

In order to keep the dog from being easily distracted, keep the first training sessions indoors, where there is not much to see but you. When the dog gets a hang of the command indoors, then move outdoors in a fenced yard or on a leash and try the command there. There are more distractions the dog has to put up.

You can't rush the first sessions. Leave something non-poisonous on the floor that the dog may pick up in its mouth, such as a glove, shoe or stuffed animal. If you have a puppy, you won't wait long for the pup to pick up the object in its mouth. If the puppy is prone to run away immediately after picking something up, then keep the puppy on a leash. An older dog may take a while to notice the object and begin chewing on it.

As soon as the dog picks up the object in its mouth, call the dog's name to get its attention and say excitedly, "Look what I have!" Put the reward object in your own mouth if necessary to get the dog's interest. The dog may drop the item right away. Say "Good, [insert your dog's name here] - good leave it," and give the reward.

However, many dogs and puppies will leap over to you while still holding the bad object in their mouths. Say, "leave it" and present the reward. Although some dogs will try to stuff both objects in their mouths, usually they have to drop the object in their mouths in order to get their reward.

In Conclusion

Each dog or puppy will learn the command in their own time. You need to be patient and persistent. You can incorporate training during daily walks, since the dog is found to come across something undesirable to pick up in its mouth like chicken bones or cat poop.

Eventually, the dog will learn from repetition to drop the object in its mouth, even if the reward is not in sight. With repetition and patience, the "leave it" command becomes an ingrained habit. At least verbally praise the dog if the reward is not immediately available.

Reference

Author's own experience