Train your dog or puppy Leave It

How to teach a puppy or adult dog the leave it cue using Positive Reinforcement.
Below are the 4 Steps that are covered in the video.

Step 1

Put extremely low value food down on the ground. Move far enough away that your dog can easily look away from the food and back at you. Mark and feed your dog for choosing to look away from the food. If your dog doesn't think to look away from the food on his own you can use an attention noise. If he still can't look away from it, it means the distraction is too hard. If this happens use a lower value distraction or create distance from the distraction. When your dog looks away from the distraction you can mark and reinforce multiple times. This will make it less likely for the dog to feel like he needs to keep looking at the distraction and will make it easier to add duration to the leave it cue.

Step 2

Change things up. Move the location of the distraction, use a different distraction and approach and pass it from different angles.

Step 3 Add the cue

Once your dog is looking away from the distraction within 3 seconds you can add your cue. Move the distraction or change your location to get the dog to notice the distraction again. Then say your cue 'leave it'. Mark and reinforce your dog for turning back toward you.
If the dog doesn't look away from the distraction, stop saying your cue until the behavior is reliably happening within 3 seconds. This will help create a cue that the dog responds to promptly after you say it.

Step 4

Continue to generalize the behavior and add criteria.

If the dog goes for the distraction more than 3 times in a row it means the criteria is too high and the training will not be as affective as if you break up the steps into smaller approximations, such as working from further away or using an easier distraction. When the dog is off leash for the first time, go back to using the easiest distraction.

You could allow the dog to get the distraction on a release cue such as "Get it", however if you do this it can lead to the dog anticipating being released as well as getting more excited during the training process because of the fast movement of going for the food. I suggest not to do this during initial training. If you want to give the dog the distraction, pick it up and hand it to him.

Some ideas for generalizing the behavior:

Turn away from the distraction and come back to you
Walk past the distraction with you
Walk around the distraction with you
Call the dog past the distraction to you

Here are links to the video tutorials mentioned:

The attention noise –
Adult version –

#dogtraining #puppytraining #professionaldogtraining

Thanks for watching! Please give a thumbs up, comment and subscribe! It means a lot to me :)

Happy Training! - Emily Larlham (AKA Kikopup)

[KT-hvhh]

Wow!! Fantastic! LOVE that you discussed the tone of voice and CER♥

[shiammi]

Your dogs are so beautiful!!💕🌞🌱🌿🌸God bless all dogs!!💕🐕

[raphaelcremer]

I love your channel, I felt I was a good trainer using positive methods, but I see how much more refined I can be. Thanks a lot for sharing, your channel is just wonderful!

[rosalinplaat]

This completely explains why the leave it cue never worked for us. I also know how to make it work for us. Thank you sooo much!!😉👍❤️

[angiebowman]

I LOVE that you started this with food on the ground away from the dog. What a wonderful way to start this behavior and not frustrate the dog!! Thank you!

[sarawelk]

I love how you explain your methods in such a clear and concise manner. I have watched lots of your videos. Thanks so much. Now Im off to teach Leave it🧡

[bianba]

Dear Emily, I simply love your videos. You explain everything very clearly and I love the use of positive reinforcement and the explanation of why not to use any punisher during the training. Thank you so much ❤

[ASMinor]

In my opinion, this is a vital skill for any puppy or dog to have. Not only is it for safety (stop them from eating things, or chasing things), but it also helps to build impulse control. And it's so versatile, to help with many different behavioral issues. ❤️💕

[SoulSearch]

I would love to see videos like this with dogs that have never done the things we are discussing before

[RM-oiyj]

Thank you for explaining all this. It's very helpful!

[cris_campo]

Amazing video! Training a rescue puppy to do that... amazing results and a lot of fun!

[BarkedBeans]

Yay! Always happy to see a new kikopup video!

[RizaHariati]

I've been your subscriber since it's only 20k. I love to see it grows. More success to you. You are a good teacher and you have a nice voice.

[tedjack]

Thanks for this update.
This one is made
from the errorless learning point of view.
Very well done!

[vagandita]

Ohhhh I forgot to generalize this and add duration. Explains so much haha whoopsies. This is super clear thank you!

[flaviolucas]

Thanks for sharing! This is very useful! Again, thanks!!!

[dabodo]

Your tutorials are always so well put together. Thinking this one is exceptional value tutorial that can save our dogs from much harm & should definitely go on the on the must do now list 100%
Thank you so much for dedicating so much time & effort to spread your information. As always absolutely loving all your tutorials, your fabulous channel & all what you do. Thank you so much.

[solutionscaninessm]

Again, a great video and awesome, easy to apply tips. Thank-you Emily. 😃

[lyndillin]

Where oh where are the videos you say you list in the description below? I love your training and your compassionate wY of being. But I can’t find the “description below “. Thank you for all the excellent free advice ♥️

[felixneher]

Great video!!!! I just wonder if the behavior remains afterwards in the case of not giving the dog some treats...