How to Teach Your Dog "Leave It"

Leave It teaches impulse control: your dog learns that backing away from something earns a better reward. It helps with dropped food, trash, and tempting items on walks.

Step by step

1. Treat in closed fist; let your dog sniff.
2. When they back off, mark and reward from the other hand.
3. Open the hand slowly over several sessions.

Tips

Always reward from the other hand, not the one holding the tempting item, so your dog learns to disengage. Go slowly and never leave anything dangerous within reach while practicing.

Level: Beginner · Category: Impulse control. Use positive reinforcement only: reward what you want, never punish.