Core Obedience
Leave It
Impulse-control command for safety around food, trash, and hazards.
Leave It teaches disengagement from objects before contact happens.
Train with staged setups first, then generalize to real-world temptations.
What this command is
Dog disengages from an item and reorients to handler on cue.
Estimated time: 1-3 weeks
Why it matters: A strong leave-it can prevent ingestion injuries and unsafe grabbing behavior.
Public training steps
Closed-fist reps
Present inaccessible treat; reward disengagement from other hand.
Success: Dog backs off quickly when cued.
Typical time: 2-5 sessions
Open and floor reps
Progress to visible and then floor temptations with cue.
Success: Dog disengages without lunging.
Typical time: 5-12 sessions