I still remember the first time I asked my dog to leave a dropped slice of pizza. My heart paused. He sniffed, blinked, then looked up at me. That tiny pause saved the day. Teaching “Leave It” gives your dog a safe brake pedal. It also gives you a calmer walk, a cleaner kitchen, and a lighter mind.
At Dogtown in Gloucester, MA, we teach this cue every week in real-life ways. Small groups. Kind methods. Honest feedback. You can do the same at home with a few minutes a day and a plan that is simple, fair, and kind.
Why “leave it” matters
Dogs are curious. They dart toward chicken bones, pills on the floor, or a squirrel that teases. “Leave It” says, not that, choose me instead. It turns impulse into choice. You will see more eye contact, less lunging, and better manners with kids and guests. It is safer. It also feels good to both of you.
What you need
- Two types of treats. One plain, one very tasty.
- A leash for later steps.
- A quiet spot to start.
- Patience. Maybe a sense of humor.
The 10 steps
- Introduce the closed-hand game. Sit with your dog. Put a plain treat in your fist. Present the fist at nose level. Your dog will sniff, lick, even paw. Say nothing. The moment they back off, mark with “Yes,” then feed a better treat from your other hand. Repeat until the back-off happens fast.
- Add the cue. As you present the closed fist, say “Leave it” once. Wait for the tiny pause. Mark “Yes,” pay with the better treat from the other hand. Keep the cue calm. One cue. One choice.
- Open-hand proof. Place the plain treat on your open palm. Say “Leave it.” If your dog dives, close your hand. If they pause, mark and pay from the other hand. Keep the leave-it item off limits. The reward comes from you.
- Floor level. Drop a plain treat under your shoe toe. Say “Leave it.” If they go for it, cover it. If they pause, mark and pay with the great treat. Start slow. Dogs often find the floor very tempting.
- Add duration. Ask for a one-second pause. Then two. Then three. Keep it easy. Many short wins beat one long struggle. If your dog breaks, you asked for too much. No worries.
- Build distance. Place the plain treat a foot away. Say “Leave it.” If they glance back at you, jackpot with a few small treats. This eye contact is gold. You can even add a sit before the reward if your dog offers it.
- Switch to life objects. Use a dropped sock, a tissue, a toy that is not in play, or a sandwich wrapper from the trash. Say “Leave it.” Pay with your great treat when they choose you. Keep the target item boring. It should never turn into the reward.
- Light movement. Gently roll a treat past the dog. Or slowly drag a tissue with a string. Say “Leave it.” Reward the pause. Moving things are hard. Keep your tone soft and your timing sharp.
- Leash practice indoors. Clip the leash. Walk past a placed item. Say “Leave it.” Reward your dog for turning with you. Practice at doorways and corners. Little ambushes help. In a good way.
- Real-world walks. Head outside with low-level items first, like a leaf or a stick. Say “Leave it” once. Mark and pay when your dog turns away. If your dog locks on, back up until they can think. Then ask again. You are building a habit, not a stunt.
Quiet cue. Clear choice. Big praise.
Proofing without pressure
Change one thing at a time. New place, same easy item. Or harder item, same quiet room. Keep sessions short. End on a win. If things get messy, reset the picture. At Dogtown, we use calm rooms, then our play yards, then the sidewalk. We want dogs to succeed, then succeed again.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Repeating the cue. Say it once. Then help with distance or movement if needed.
- Letting the dog grab the leave-it item as a prize. The prize should come from you.
- Jumping to busy places too fast. Build the skill like stairs, not a leap.
- Skipping breaks. Tired brains make poor choices. Same for us.
Making it part of daily life
Use “Leave It” at doorways, at the trash bin, near a picnic, and on wet sidewalks after rain. Pair it with “Take it” for clarity. Tell your dog what to avoid, then what to enjoy. I like to keep a tiny pouch by the door. Treats ready means timing stays clean.
If you want guided help, the training programs at Dogtown focus on kind methods and small groups. Practice the cue during small-group dog daycare or in our day camp for extra real-world reps. Keep it going during boarding stays so the routine does not slip. Our full-service grooming team also uses calm handling and cue work, which helps your dog make better choices when touched or brushed.
A quick timeline you can trust
- Days 1 to 3: Closed-hand game and cue.
- Days 4 to 7: Open-hand, floor, and duration.
- Week 2: Distance and life objects.
- Week 3: Movement and indoor leash work.
- Week 4: Simple outdoor scenes, then busier paths.
Every dog moves at their own speed. Some breeze through in ten days. Some take longer. Both are fine.
Progress over perfection. Always.
Conclusion
“Leave It” is a gift you give your dog. It turns chaos into choices you can trust. Start with that tiny pause. Grow it into a habit. If you would like hands-on coaching, visit Dogtown in Gloucester. Book a free pre-enrollment chat, meet our trainers, and see how your dog lights up when learning feels simple. Come try a class, a day of play, or a tidy groom, and let us help you build the cue that keeps your buddy safe and happy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Leave It" command?
It is a cue that tells your dog to avoid a thing and choose you instead. The dog learns to pause, look away from the item, and often make eye contact. You then reward that choice. The item could be food, trash, a toy, or even a squirrel that stirs things up.
How to train "Leave It" step by step?
Start with a treat in your closed fist. Wait for a pause, then mark and reward from the other hand. Add the cue once your dog understands the game. Progress to open hand, the floor, longer pauses, more distance, real-life objects, movement, leash work, and finally outdoor scenes. Keep sessions short and positive.
Why teach my dog "Leave It"?
It protects your dog from unsafe items and helps on walks, in kitchens, and around guests. You get more calm choices and better focus. It also deepens trust. Your dog learns that listening pays well and that you are worth checking in with when life gets loud.
When should I use "Leave It"?
Use it the moment your dog orients to something you do not want them to grab or chase. Say it once, then help them succeed with distance or movement if needed. Use it at doorways, around dropped food, near trash, or when a fast-moving object tempts your dog to bolt.
What if my dog ignores "Leave It"?
Lower the challenge. Move farther from the item, make the item less tempting, or raise the value of your reward. Practice indoors again for a few reps, then try outside. If you need help, the team at Dogtown can guide you with simple tweaks that make the cue land every time.
