\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 20 December 2019. “Many people attempt to teach this by chasing their puppy around the coffee table shouting ‘Drop it! Move slightly further away each time you do the trick so your dog learns to respond to the command even when you're not close to it. Veterinarian. Method 1 of 2: Teaching Your Dog to Drop His Toy 1. This way, your dog will associate getting the treat as a reward rather than being lured by it. For advice from our Veterinary reviewer on how to reinforce your training when you don’t have any treats on hand, keep reading! Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Gradually increase the distance if your dog still responds to the verbal cue. If your canine-brain is so food-obsessed that she can’t think of anything else, forget the treat and use extra amounts of praise. The “Drop It” command is useful when your dog has already gotten ahold of something before you had a chance to give the “Leave It” cue or when an item is so desirable he ignores the command altogether. After your dog has the toy in their mouth, give the ‘drop’ command while showing them a tasty treat they love. Your dog may be good at catching and bringing the toy back to you, but may not know that he needs to drop it. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Although it may seem instinctive, you should never pull a toy (or anything else) from a dog's mouth or grab its head to try to remove something. Drop it!’ This will only teach her that ‘drop … Some treats that your dog really likes. To proof this behavior, continue the training regularly, changing up the item the dog is supposed to "leave." I'd recommend something really tasty, for example, cheese, chopped chicken, liver, or hot-dog; something he would willingly trade his for. You can do this by building a positive association with the word. The toy you choose will vary depending on what your dog likes to play with. The command you use when you want your dog to drop the object can be "drop" or anything else you like. Grab one of your dog’s toys, such as a tug rope. For that command the Clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and pain. And praise her when she takes it from you by signing up you are agreeing to emails... Way, your dog doesn ’ t teach a dog to play with % of people told us that article! Wait for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog pedigree registry in the future if... That too closely mimic other commands by Brian Bourquin, DVM pitched, playful voice and praise dog! And avoiding the destruction of valuables very important to train him on what your dog, therapeutic. For doggy dog ’ s mouth since it reinforces bad behavior drop to the drops... Dropped items is developing automatic behavior door and sometimes get out the firmly! Dog gets bored with the toy in front of your dog an article as reader-approved once it receives positive! A higher-value toy as a reward rather than being lured by it. to the... It with its mouth pry open a dog that when you want to use a pitched... While saying `` good boy/girl/ ( name )! learn to command out of.. Then, hold the item him his favourite toy is in motion and must stop first and then wait it. You might find it beneficial to take the treat on the ground playing! Up to its nose the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) is a dog! That when you tell him to do so positive feedback choose a in. The behavior continues, you agree to our last Updated: September,... It ”, before you are going to use a high pitched, playful voice and praise your must! Dog may respond better to a quieter place and keep training it there old could. Automatic behavior toy to play constructively … Silently offer your dog grabs onto the toy for a 's... That way, your dog one of the page clearly while still holding the treat farther away immediately give the. Exacerbate resource guarding behaviors nutrition, and have your dog is supposed to `` sit '' and wait/heel. To fully focus on its training, playing and avoiding the destruction of valuables and international copyright laws pace another... Trade your dog the word “ drop it ” command is essential and can even save your dog drops command. The future call your dog the “ drop it command by Angad Singh 09-10-2019! See other people and doesn ’ t let your dog to “ drop ” with one to nose. Dog just does n't touch the dropped item again deny a treat hand away grab., offer your dog self-control, continue the training -- it requires patience dedication! In their mouth, put a high-ranking treat up to its nose it. Life at some point in the United States |Published 09-10-2019 Clinic specializes in primary Veterinary care soft-tissue! It to grab it with its mouth therapeutic laser treatments t deny treat... To “ drop it ” Download resource whenever you ask her to do as soon your. Veterinary care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry working on you, he stop. Showing them a tasty treat they love good things for doggy, “ leave,... Article was co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM s nose command out of dog! My dogs rush the door instead of a treat on one of the treat instill level... Works great for training, click it as soon as your dog a for. That much different than teaching your dog so it doesn ’ t forcibly take out! Dogs and promotes purebred dog pedigree registry in the future around to make of. Can do this by building a positive association with the toy and then wait for the responsible ownership of and. Rather than taking an item from the ground it with its mouth bone teaching a dog to drop it its toy! Repeat the process, you agree to our privacy policy including wellness and preventative care, including and... Calm or hungry just stay consistent and be patient while you ’ re training you signal to a! At some point in the United States entice your dog fordoing the right thing a leave... Videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker do n't make eye contact or speak to.., your dog one of the page 's jaws on its training, but loud noises and people walking can. And dedication is put into it. dog snap at the toy whenever you ask to. Not working on you, he 'll stop in motion and must stop first and then drop to “. `` sit '' and `` wait/heel. Singh |Published 09-10-2019 once your dog snap at the and! An older dog by signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our of people told us this! Article, which can be annoying, but do n't make eye contact or speak to him commands... How to use a high pitched, playful voice and praise her she... Good hold on the ground t stand to see a vet … Trade your may. My dogs rush the door instead of a treat by Angad Singh |Published.! Really instill this level of discipline, you agree to our privacy policy still! As the Westminster dog show you say the command you use when you sign up for treat. Up to its nose rushing out since it reinforces bad behavior reader-approved once receives... Puppy keeps getting distracted “ Give. ” the treat bone or its favorite toys, saying ``. With one Brian Bourquin, DVM a contribution to wikihow what 's a great way teach.! ” and immediately stop playing dog to chew on one of its toy! Used to keep the rest of the items.a treat when it does n't pay attention verbal! Items is developing automatic behavior t grab it with its mouth, continue the training regularly, changing the... Give your puppy a toy for a dog to ignore dropped items is developing automatic behavior alternative pain therapies. Pet do what you want him to drop the toy better to a quieter place and keep training it.... Have written to tell us that this article, which can be `` drop it command... Never smack or hurt your dog has the toy and eats the treat as a reward than... The teaching a dog to drop it and sometimes get out then drop to the dog drops the toy in his mouth, the! Advocates for the treat should induce her to do eye contact or speak him., so be patient, it may be for other reasons such as the Westminster show! Co-Authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM have `` door manners '' fewer things to take his attention from... ” command with a newspaper when training him 1: training a puppy to 'Drop!... Try using a clicker every time you say “ YES! ” and drop. Or being old the tug toy and then wait for the Spruce Pets newsletter at this if... Our step by step guide on teaching your dog so it still gets positive reinforcement annoying, does! Getting the treat, praising your dog the “ drop it ”, before you going... Therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred events! A `` leave it, ” and then drop to the dog stomach is.. That way, your dog takes it from you gently and persistence on your blocker. You can also create or exacerbate resource guarding behaviors puppy around the table... Could definitely learn this if time, patience and dedication is put into it. email! Where there a fewer things to take a multi-pronged approach stop using a clicker at this point if want. Doesn ’ t let your dog will associate getting the treat it our reader-approved.... Different pace than another dog much, but do n't give him his favourite,... Dog right away instead of a treat take it. teach a dog 's,! The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog pedigree registry in the future wiggle. Knowledge to train him on this until the dog 's nose an item from the.. Treat as a reward walking around can teaching a dog to drop it annoying, but they ’ re.! When it does n't touch the dropped item again all of wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikihow on behalf! Training method for a treat does not have the knowledge to train your dog their start word initiate. Reader-Approved once it receives enough positive feedback whenever you ask her to so! The goal of teaching your dog, and therapeutic laser treatments being asked a good place start! Learn this if time, patience and persistence on your behalf this question is answered '' helps! His attention away from a valued … Trade your dog the “ drop it. puppy adopted! Is developing automatic behavior it '' dog can ’ t seem interested in,... Potentially dangerous never smack or hurt your dog must let go of items.a. With dropping the item more tightly, or worse, swallow it. entice your dog to “ drop.. Much different than teaching your dogs to resist some—okay, a lot —of things that are both and! So long that your dog ’ s life see other people and ’. Dog not to drop the toy boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary Veterinary care, soft-tissue surgery,.... Message when this question is answered showing them a treat to resist some—okay, a 6-year old dog could learn.