'Default Leave-It' Training

I learned about this method of training the 'leave-it' command from a vlogger with a youtube channel, Kikopup. She's a trainer out of San Diego and she has some great training techniques that I've started to adopt. She calls this a 'default leave-it' because this should be the first thing you work on with your dog or puppy. It stops them from attacking the treats and also teaches them the process of clicker training.

The Process:

Sit down with a bowl of really great treats (keep them out of reach of the dog!). Have your dog or puppy in front of you.

Place a treat in one hand and your clicker in the other. Close your hand around the treat and hold it out to the dog. Your puppy will probably try to bite, lick or paw your hand. DO NOT LET THEM GET THE TREAT!!!

Wait them out. When your puppy makes a movement away from the treat, either to look at you or to sniff the ground, or to turn away, you will click and treat from your other hand. Don't give them the treat that they were trying to get.

Continue to do this until the dog looks at your hand or sniffs it, then looks back at you, waiting for the click and treat. You'll know when your dog has figured out the process... they will have no interest in the treat in your closed hand. Now up the ante - offer the treat in an open palm and do the same thing. When they've started leaving it alone consistently, add your verbal cue, either 'leave-it' or something else. I don't recommend using the word 'no'...it's too general and you'll end up over using it.

Continue this training for 5 minutes or so. Always quit when your dog has been successful, and before they get bored. If you can't hold your dog's attention, get a better reinforcer.

If your dog is just too interested in the treat in your closed hand, try using something more boring, like dog food, or a veggie, but still using meat as your reinforcer. Guaranteed he'll want the meat more!

You should also try doing this training in other environments and situations - the more you can do, the more reliable your dog will be.