Of all the commands I wish every dog knew, "leave it" is near the top, because it is the one that can genuinely keep them safe. A dog who will turn away from something on cue is a dog who does not gobble the dropped chocolate, the chicken bone on the pavement, the discarded takeaway, or the tempting something-or-other they find on a walk. It is also brilliant for everyday manners around food, other dogs and your own belongings. The lovely part is that teaching "leave it" is not about telling your dog off, it is about teaching them that turning away from a temptation pays off even better. This guide shows you how, step by step, the kind way.
Treat this as a hands-on companion to the basic commands overview. No special kit needed, just some treats and a few minutes.
The idea behind "leave it"
"Leave it" works best when your dog learns that ignoring one thing earns them something as good or better. Dogs Trust builds its guide to teaching leave it around the idea of a "fair trade": your dog gives up their interest in an item and, in return, gets a reward from you. You are never snatching things away or scaring your dog off them, which would only make them guard things more. You are making cooperating the winning choice.
Before you start
- Use two types of treat: a boring one for the "leave" item and a more exciting one for the reward. The reward should always beat the temptation.
- Start in a calm, quiet room with nothing else competing for attention.
- Keep sessions short and upbeat, just a few minutes at a time.
Step by step: teaching "leave it"
- Closed fist. Hold a boring treat in a closed hand and let your dog sniff, lick and paw at it. Say nothing.
- Wait for the pause. The instant your dog gives up and pulls their nose away, mark it with "yes" and reward from your other hand with a tastier treat. They learn that leaving the fist earns something better.
- Add the word. Once they back off quickly, say "leave" just as they turn away, then reward. Repeat until the word predicts the turn.
- Open hand. Progress to an open palm with the treat visible. If your dog dives in, simply close your hand. Mark and reward the moment they hold back.
- On the floor. Place a treat on the floor and cover it with your hand or foot if needed. Cue "leave", and reward from your hand when they resist. Slowly reveal more.
- Add distance and distractions. Practise in the garden, on walks, and with more tempting items, always rewarding the turn-away generously.
Groomer's tip: Always reward with something better than the thing you asked your dog to leave. If leaving a dull biscuit earns a scrap of chicken, your dog will happily leave things all day. Skimp on the reward and the cue quickly falls apart.
Making it reliable in the real world
The park and pavement are a world away from your living room, so expect to go back a few steps when you take "leave it" outdoors. Keep your dog on a lead at first so you can prevent a grab, cue "leave" early (before they lunge, not mid-pounce), and reward brilliantly when they turn to you. Practise little and often on ordinary walks with ordinary temptations, so the skill is rock solid before you ever need it in an emergency.
What not to do
Never yank the item from your dog's mouth or chase them for it, as chasing turns it into a fabulous game and snatching can trigger guarding. If your dog already has something dangerous, calmly offer a swap for a high-value treat or scatter several tasty pieces on the floor a little away from them, then pick the item up while they are busy eating. If your dog regularly guards food or objects, or growls when you approach, please seek help from a qualified, force-free behaviourist accredited through the ABTC rather than pushing it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between "leave it" and "drop it"?
"Leave it" means "do not touch that in the first place", while "drop it" means "let go of what is already in your mouth". Both are useful, and taught in a similar swap-and-reward way.
How long does it take to teach "leave it"?
Many dogs get the closed-fist stage within a few short sessions, but a reliable "leave it" out on walks with real temptations takes weeks of steady practice. Do not rush the outdoor stages.
My dog grabs things before I can react. What can I do?
Keep them on a lead in tempting places so you can cue early, and work on getting in before the grab rather than after. Meanwhile, manage the environment by clearing dropped food at home and steering around obvious hazards.
Can I teach an older dog to leave it?
Absolutely. Dogs of any age learn "leave it" happily with reward-based training. Older dogs sometimes concentrate better than bouncy pups, so you may be pleasantly surprised.
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