How to Train Your Dog to LEAVE IT: Complete Beginner's Guide

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

If you've enjoyed this video please like, comment & share 🙂 It really helps! 🙋‍♀️COMPLETE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS: •❓🤨 STRUGGLING WITH LEASH TRAINING? 👇 ✅ 6 Weeks to Dream Walks: Step-By-Step Leash Training Program: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/6-weeks-to-dream-walks-step-by-step-leash-training-program •❓🐿️ STRUGGLING WITH YOUR DOG CHASING ANIMALS (indoors or outdoors)?👇 ✅ Dog Prey Drive: How to STOP Animal Chasing: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/dog-prey-drive-how-to-stop-animal-chasing-with-force-free-methods ►👀 WATCH NEXT: ✔️ How to load a marker word: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2WaZ6Ztjqapndk ✔️ How to Fix Counter Surfing (Dog Stealing Food): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uQd3qIerSfqLM ✔️ Training an advanced "leave it" that works on walks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo ► 🗣️ STAY CONNECTED: • Instagram (my most active platform): instagram.com/happyhounds_dogtraining/ • Facebook: facebook.com/HappyHoundsDogTraining.ca • Blog: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/blog/ • Email list: view.flodesk.com/pages/61898eeb3a0e5bcf6f5411ec ►❤️ FAVOURITE DOG GEAR: ➡️ *ALL* my favourite dog items & discount codes: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/shop 🧸 Amazing faux & real fur toys: www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=happyhoundsdogtraining 🐕‍🦺 My favourite harness & dog gear: rockymountaindog.ca/?ref=ka8S8Xue 🦴 My favourite treat bag: amzn.to/3UUGF60 🦮 Beautiful custom biothane leashes (I use the hands-free version): www.hightailhikes.com?aff=212 Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content.

[@TrainMePlease]

This is a great tutorial Stephanie. Probably my favourite leave it video available on KZbin. Well done.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Wow! Massive compliment. Thank you so much!

[@amyrushing4415]

I agree 💯!!

[@kyndallp]

this is one of the best training videos i’ve seen. 🙂 thanks so much.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Wow, thank you! Hearing that means a lot 😁

[@thefirsttrillionaire2925]

@@happyhoundsdogtrainingthey’re completely right! You just got a sub sister! 🤌🏽

[@christiemacdonald6721]

This is just so great. Your style is perfect. Just the right amount of detail. We adopted a stray girl (shy, reactive) about 8 months ago, and your videos have been so helpful. Our humane society behaviour department recommended them, and it is awesome to have them here to re-watch while she (we!) learn these skills.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Oh I love that a rescue organization is recommending them, and that you're enjoying them 😊 One of my long term goals for the channel is actually to film with adoptable dogs from a rescue here so that my videos might even help more dogs find homes ♥

[@cookiemaster6119]

Your videos are sooo helpful

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@marcostevens4086]

Love your training methods. I have a 16 week cocker. i am going down the force free route of training you recommend in other videos. Your videos are well structured and precise. Keep them coming.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you SO much. I'm really glad you find the structure of them helpful! It's also helpful for ME to hear that so that I know for future videos what format does/doesn't work for people 🙂

[@MalloryGraham-nf2fm]

Brilliant!!! My girl picked this up very quickly inside. It didn't occur to me to do this in different environments so I'll work on this with her now before progressing to the advanced video. Thank you so much!!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

So glad you liked it, and that your dog picked it up so quickly 🙂

[@nathaliekarouni8925]

Actively trying this starting today on my senior puggle I recentled adopted. So far looks like he'll be completing step 1 very soon. Thank you so much!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Best of luck! ☺️

[@maguima]

training with food on the table seems like a game changer! I've been teaching leave it to my dog only on the floor, and she keeps trying to steal things from tables and counters... can't wait to try this out!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Generalizing the skill on different surfaces is SO helpful!! 👌I'm going to be uploading another video soon about counter surfing that might interest you too. It's with the same dog, but showing how I teach her to stop stealing food from counters WITHOUT me needing to cue her to "leave it" or when I'm not in the room! More advanced version 🙂

[@jswant1976]

Thanks!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much for supporting the channel! 😀

[@WeeklyTemplates]

Your training videos are the best, my little Frenchie is finally learning 😊

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

That makes me so happy to hear!! 😊

[@Uilani-g4m]

Your techniques really make training fun and stress free, compared to most videos out there. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. So greatly appreciated!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Glad you like them!

[@cryptidsteeth]

thank you so much for this! i'm going to try this training technique with my puppy tonight

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You’re welcome! Have fun training 😊

[@marycross1922]

Such a clear presentation of this impulse control. Thanks! It's hard to transfer the concepts but you make it step by step easy in real time scenarios.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@MichaelD8574]

I've watched several "leave it" videos and yours is the best I've seen by far.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Wow, thank you so much!! 🙏

[@useemehere2]

Great training to learn and hoping i can do this to my puppy

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Best of luck!

[@violetsturgill]

This was amazing and so specific! Thank you!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You're so welcome!

[@nikkia3d]

Thank you for your valuable help. Evie and I are working on this first, and then progressing to not chasing urban wildlife! Your training echoes the group class I took 20 years ago at the SFSPCA - not now offered, but hopefully will again be soon. Marker word, step-wise training and timing were all emphasized, as you do. Again, thanks for the amazing work that you do.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You're very welcome 😊 Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment!

[@juliagreda3146]

This is such a clear and fun exercise! Just did it for the first time with my dog and he got the hang of the first three steps quickly! Need to add some tempting objects for the game and practice regularly as he's a little thief!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Amazing, I'm so glad you've had such quick success 👏 If he steals food when you're not around, I'd suggest watching this counter surfing tutorial too (also featuring Kiki!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uQd3qIerSfqLM

[@russemerson1358]

Awesome video! Exactly what I needed for my squirrel/bird/lizard/trash chasing dogs. Thank you for the mention of lifetime rewards. I use them for Come as well to always get them to come to me knowing they’ll be rewarded

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

So glad you liked it! If you haven't watched it yet, I'd check out this video on prey drive/animal chasing next:kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac. My own dog was squirrel obsessed!

[@theparanoiddad8658]

Does this work on a cat?❤

[@tjancijr]

Fantastic tutorial!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@taniamz3001]

Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks for a kind comment! 🙏

[@jenniferwhiten1884]

Best video ever!! 🎉

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Oh 😊♥ Thank you SOO much!!

[@JillHouse-sf5vx]

Such a great tutorial! Thank u!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@sarahjohnson1847]

This was so effective so glad I found you!! My 5 month old goldendoodle had this down pat in a few hours after following this video to a T, thank you!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! 😁 Comments like this really encourage me to keep making more tutorials.

[@25golferman]

This is the best tutorial I have seen on this as I have a new rescue dog that has a lot of energy and I’m hoping I can train him. Question… When I start with step one, do I continue with the next steps at the same time, later in the day, or the next day?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks, glad you liked it! Once your dog gets Step 1 down you can move to Step 2 same session if you're both still feeling like continuing 🙂

[@acksov8536]

I’ve been binging your videos and read through the “Dog Prey Drive…” ebook and want to dive right into it. We’ve got a very solid marker word so I’m going to begin with “leave it” since this seems like an important tool for tackling reactivity and prey drive. My question is this. What value of treats/food do you use for “leave it”?. Thank you for the videos. I can’t wait to get started.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Amazing 😊 It actually makes me so happy to hear that you find my content binge-worthy!! I typically divide “dog treats” into three value categories: 1) Low value: kibble, fruit/vegetable dog treats (example blueberry treats), milk bones, etc 2) High value: freeze-dried beef liver, single ingredient/pure meat dog treats, soft & stinky dog treats, etc 3) Very high value: cheese cubes, boiled & shredded chicken, ground beef, roasted pork chop, etc For teaching the "leave it" cue in THIS video, I use category 2 treats as rewards typically. However when I first start using the cue for prey drive I use level 3 (then phase down to level 2 treats once the skill is more solid). Hope that helps!

[@marindahappypets]

Great video! Thank you very much! 💜💜💜 Going to share this with a bunch of people. 😊

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@savannahshirkey2846]

I love your videos! What do you recommend for puppies who bite or scratch your hand during the first exercise?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Unfortunately that's quite common, especially with the young pups! Most learn VERY quickly not to in order to get the reward, but I'd consider gloves for a session or two if it's really hurting.

[@aussiebushhomestead3223]

Thank you. This is a great video.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad you liked it! 😊

[@ginahelen2]

Hi, you'll se me pop up with quite a few questions as I go through your videos. once your dog understands the verbal que 'leave it' what happens when you are not around or the dog is left at home with other family members. especially kids who love to leave all the toxic stuff about. x x

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Great question!! For managing counter surfing when you're not in the room, I have a separate tutorial that should explain everything you need to know 😀 Kiki, the dog in this leave it tutorial was a wild food thief as soon as her guardians (or me haha) turned their backs. I'll link that video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uQd3qIerSfqLM

[@ShaawtyB]

I'm late to this but how long would you generally recommend teaching each comman in different rooms/spots in the house for since its best they learn in different areas? For example step 1 how many times should you train your dog in one are of the house?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Great question! Typically I progress through all the steps while training in one area. Then to generalize the skill I practice in new areas starting at step 4. If your dog struggles in new areas you can go back to step 1, but it's often not necessary 😊

[@ShaawtyB]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining ahh makes sense thanks so much for your reply! 😊

[@diphillips3559]

I noticed on the walk u said, "leave it." Did u give her a treat for leaving it? She was watching u, expecting it. BTW, I understand every move isn't seen on video. Just asking b'cuz u said they get rewarded each time they do it right. * Of all training methods or techniques I've seen, your's stands out. I love your style.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you! Can you timestamp the moment you’re asking about so that I know I’m answering about the right clip 😊

[@ASmith-sv3tb]

My dog will pick it up very easily while training (i can set the treat on her paw or leave the room for a little even) but if we are outside or she knows we arent training and distracted, she will steal food or not stop smelling or trying to eat something from the ground. Any tips for a case like this?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I do! I actually have a full tutorial on how I teach dogs to leave food alone when you leave the room 😊 It has to become an uncued skill so that it becomes their default behaviour. I’ll link it here: Dog Steals Food? Try THIS Method to Fix COUNTER SURFING kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uQd3qIerSfqLM

[@scottadler5948]

Hi. This is a great video and I'm looking forward to starting this training with my corgi, who is a compulsive scavenger. (She will eat anything remotely edible… Gross!) One question: should we cut off un-monitored access to the backyard? We have another dog, and both of them will sometimes use the backyard as their bathroom. (You can see where this is going.)

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks, so glad you liked it! Yes, I'd cut off un-monitored access for now. Poop eating can have other causes (such as nutrient deficiencies or a learned behaviour they watched their mom do if conditions weren't kept clean), but if those are ruled out it can be trained. As gross as it sounds, I've had a client have great success with poop scavenging by following this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo) but using poop as the "bait" 😂

[@avnerleon9727]

For the Impulse control part, should the dog start form the Seat position?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

For the un-cued impulse control or cued in-hand exercises, sitting isn't necessary! (Kiki just auto sits). I do find it helps to ask your dog to sit prior to starting the on-the-floor version though when they're first learning!

[@TaraLynne]

how soon in between each step do i proceed with the next? my dog got each one within 2 mins.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

As soon as your dog is getting each step it's fine to move on! 😊 Once your dog has mastered this tutorial, I'd check out the more advanced one too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo

[@grp2151]

First of all, I'm using a translator because I'm not used to using English. Please understand even if the sentence is weird. My dog has a strong PREY DRIVE. I wanted to lower his excitement in the mountains, so I looked up several sites and saw your KZbin. My dog has perfect loose leash walking in the city center. However, there are many difficulties in the mountains because of the prey drive. He is distracted and has a lot of pulling because he is tracking the smell of small animals. Even though most of the time, no other animal is actually right in front of his eyes. I stop immediately when he pulls the rope, then when he returns, I'm repeatedly rewarding him with a palatable treat and then starting again, but it doesn't work in the mountains. Will LEAVE IT training work in this case as well? I'll try even if it doesn't work, but can you tell me if there's any other better way? Also, do you use the same snack in both hands when attaching the CUE? Or does he practice snacks that he doesn't get using less palatable ones?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Hi! First I want to reassure you that the translation was great, so your question is easy to understand. Yes, if most of the time it’s simply smells rather than actually seeing an animal, the “leave it” cue should work great! I’m actually in the process of creating two more advanced versions of this too. One where I should how to train “leave it” so it works great on walks/real life too, and then another showing how I used it as a starter cue in training my dogs prey drive. My dog used to want to chase EVERYTHING that moved 😂 Stay tuned for the more advanced versions! However, your dog will still need to be solid on the beginner cue, so I’d start training what you see in this video! For training “leave it” you can use the same treats, but your dog will learn the cue faster if the one they’re “leaving” is less palatable than the reward.

[@elizabeththrockmorton9318]

Hello, I’m a newer trainer and I had difficulty with inadvertently creating a chain where the dog thought they should nose my hand before disengaging. How can I prevent this? I’m thinking the “3-5-second disengagement before rewarding” is the key here?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Yes! 😊 The delay helps teach the dog the reward is for NOT trying to get it

[@elizabeththrockmorton9318]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining thank you!

[@itskellienicole]

My dog is doing good with training treats and generalizing in different rooms/movements using training treats, but once it comes to human food or anything else he forgets this command. Any advice? I’ve started trying using different things as the item to leave.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

If you mean he struggles with the "leave it" cue during training with human food, you likely just need to increase the value of the items more slowly. If you mean he steals human food (from the counter, your plate, etc) then I'd suggest following this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uQd3qIerSfqLM. Kiki (the dog in both videos) was a terrible food thief before we trained her 😂

[@kjkillinger]

This has worked amazingly for my new dog! He learned to leave it so fast! Now we want to teach him drop it

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

That makes me so happy to hear! 😁I also have tutorials for a more advanced “leave it” cue (How to Train Your Dog to Leave It & STOP Scavenging on Walks kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo) and drop it (How to Train Your Dog to DROP It: Step-by-Step Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSndIOOmL-ee68)

[@gabr_ielcob]

I have a question, can you train a puppy like this? Like 3-6 months old?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Absolutely! I’ve actually filmed a leave it tutorial with a ~2 month old puppy named Bosa (just haven’t edited and uploaded it yet). Puppies can definitely learn leave it 😊

[@runnerup15]

my dog has decided playing tug with my hand is the way to go for the first step and when i leave the room he barks at me and bites my ankles on the way out 🙃

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

How old is your dog? Sounds like he might be trying to turn it into either a play session OR developing a demand behaviour!

[@runnerup15]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining he's 15 weeks old, we got him from the shelter a couple weeks ago and he was timid at first but has definitely let loose now (especially with my fiancee) we are a bit worried we might be in over our heads but obedience classes dont open for another 6 weeks near us 😬

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

@@runnerup15 ah that makes sense! Mix of puppy playing & biting 😂

[@weirdcoregirl8659]

my dog moved away from the treat I put near him because he knew it was too tempting 😂

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Hahaha “I’m just going to go ahead and remove myself from this impossible situation” 😂😂😂

[@jenniferwhiten1884]

At least with our Corgis , we don’t have to worry about counter surfing 🤣

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

😂🤣 LOL! I don't know.... Neirah could jump above my head when she was younger 🤣 Scared me on walks a few times because all of a sudden she'd be on ledges above me hahaha.

[@leoandrews1696]

If step 2 is leave it, why spend the time on step one where she gets the treat - sorry, am I being dumb because I just can't see the reason for step one

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I don't think any questions are dumb! 🙂 The reason I like starting with step 1 (un-cued) is for building a little impulse control. I find this particularly helpful in households with kids (that often have snacks in hand) or if you have a dog that takes treats roughly. It teaches the dog that without any cueing or needing to be told to leave it alone, the food in the humans hand isn't automatically theirs. Whenever possible I like teaching some good default behaviours! That said, you can absolutely skip it if you prefer just starting with cueing 😊

[@leoandrews1696]

Of course! It's so obvious when it's pointed out. Thankyou so much for getting back to me and for all of your hard work. I've been training dogs for years, but I am still learning so much from you.

[@margmoore57]

@@happyhoundsdogtrainingSusan Garrett calls it “It’s Your Choice” and I love that you do it because it is a great way to build impulse control and confidence in a dog. I need to be more consistent in its use in my training. I’m so focused on getting Brownie to stop chasing the cats and I tend to forget foundations. Love both this “leave it” and “drop it” training, but “leave it” in particular will be one of our foundations moving forward. Thank you!!!

[@leoandrews1696]

8 months update - we now know that our shepherd has two sides, the rhino, where she boulders through life, irrespective of anything that gets in her way, and the beautiful Angel, who tries hard to please. Training leave it wasn't hard, and we are now at a place where she'll acknowledge the command and comply, (about 70% of the time)which is great, especially where the cat is concerned. She feels that it doesn't apply if our back is turned or we leave the room, so I feel that we've taken a wrong turn somewhere. We also have a cat that just loooves to strut about, teasing the poor dog until she just can't stand it anymore, and chaos rules for a few seconds. Thankfully, even if she catches up to the cat, she's never harmed him, consequently he shows no fear of the 30kg dog, happily belting her across the nose when she gets too close for comfort. Thankyou for your time and energy in sharing your expertise and look after yourself, as a new mum.

[@christinehotmama8529]

Great video, my beagle caught right on so fast. I can throw right by his nose and he just looks at me, going to try on walks soon.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Awesome!! If you haven't already, check out this tutorial for how to make the cue strong on walks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo

[@kjkillinger]

How long should training sessions be? I have an 18 month old Bernese mountain dog who needs a bit of work so I’m planning on going through all your videos!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

It’s a hard question to answer because every dog is so different (and their focus also changes with age). I usually tell clients to start with a 10-20 minute training session, take a break to play or go outside, then try going back for another training session if desired. If the dog seems uninterested in the second session that’s 100% ok! Even 10-20 minutes of focused training a day can get huge results 😊

[@kjkillinger]

@@happyhoundsdogtrainingthank you! We started with 10 minutes a couple weeks ago but we just did 15 minutes of this yesterday and he went the whole time