A Cure-all for Many Doggy No No’s

How would you like a single command to tell your dog to stop vacuuming up everything off the ground or the floor, stop sniffing your guests, stop growling at other dogs, or just stop whatever it is that you don’t approve of and just pay attention to you? Well, here it is, it’s “LEAVE IT”.  Don’t take for granted that  while teaching “leave it” that you are the most important thing in your dog’s universe. If you’re not, you are not spending enough time with your dog. It only takes a few minutes a couple times each day to build a lasting bond with your dog. The rewards both of you get from that bond are priceless.

Let me input some of my own experience with the command “leave it”; While walking my dog one day we came across some mushrooms growing off the side of a tree, “leave it” may have saved my dogs life as she really wanted to bite into it. Another case in point, I have a dog that is always by my side and would eat just about anything that didn’t eat her first! While taking some medications, I accidentally dropped one on the floor right in front of her and just when she was about to grab it “ leave it” came in real handy!

Anyone can teach their dog this command. You can stand or sit, doesn’t matter, and it only takes a couple of minutes every day. Depending on your dog,  you may or may not need to put him on collar and leash. Preferably  while your dog is in a sit position, hold a handful of treats in your left hand and one small treat in your right. Holding the one in your right hand out, making sure your dog see’s it but cannot get to it (hold your hand around it), once your dog sniffs your hand maybe even attempts to get it, just say “leave it” and wait till your dog looks away, anywhere but at the treat. Then say “ good leave it” and give him a treat from your left hand. Never give him the treat in your right hand. You can repeat this a couple times each day and there you have it!

           “Leave it” is in essence, getting your dog’s attention refocused on you and on to more positive behavior. It’s o.k. to say “no” to your dog in some cases, but then you need to tell your dog what to do after that. Dogs like rules and consistency and they like knowing what’s expected of them, so tell them!

Thank you and God Bless you and your dog