Learning the 'leave it' command for your dog, as advised by one expert trainer
In the world of dog training, one command stands out as particularly important: the 'leave it' cue. Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior, emphasizes the significance of this command in ensuring the safety of dogs.
The 'leave it' command can be a lifesaver, preventing a dog from approaching or consuming dangerous items such as food on sidewalks or medication. It can also intervene if a dog is investigating something the owner does not want it to ingest, potentially saving its life by keeping it away from hazardous objects.
Juliana's approach to training the 'leave it' cue is rooted in positive reinforcement techniques. She encourages dog owners to present a treat or item, allow the dog to show interest, but not let them take it. The moment the dog backs off or looks away should be marked with a clicker or a verbal marker like "Yes!" or "Good!". Immediate reward follows, with a different treat or praise from the other hand or after moving away.
As the training progresses, more tempting distractions are added, like dropped food, and the verbal cue "leave it" is introduced once the dog reliably looks away. Practicing in varied environments helps to generalize the behaviour.
Juliana is known for her cues that enable smarter, efficient dog training. She stresses clarity, consistency, and positive reinforcement to build impulse control behaviours. Video content from her or similar trainers like KPA CTP Aimee Bonnain demonstrates the importance of clear cues and reward timing during training sessions.
For exact steps as demonstrated by Juliana, consulting her videos on platforms like TikTok or Instagram (@jwdogtraining) may provide direct demonstrations and guidance. It's important to remember that training the 'leave it' cue requires patience and positive reinforcement for long-term reliability.
Juliana advises marking and rewarding eye contact anytime the dog looks at the owner while training the 'leave it' command. She pairs the 'leave it' cue with eye contact because it prevents the dog from looking at or going for the item.
A recent Instagram post by JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting offers advice on training the 'leave it' command. Juliana encourages dog owners to practice cueing the dog to orient to the owner when 'leave it' is said without distractions.
By training the 'leave it' command, dog owners can give their pets the vital skill to avoid dangerous situations and potentially save their lives.
- Juliana DeWillems suggests using treats or items to train the 'leave it' command, encouraging owners to let their dogs show interest but not allow them to take it.
- The 'leave it' command is particularly important in dog training, as it can prevent dogs from approaching or consuming dangerous items like food on sidewalks, medication, or hazardous objects.
- Juliana's approach to training the 'leave it' cue is based on positive reinforcement techniques, using a clicker or verbal marker to mark the moment the dog backs off or looks away, followed by immediate reward.
- As the training progresses, more tempting distractions are added, and the verbal cue "leave it" is introduced once the dog reliably looks away. Practicing in varied environments helps to generalize the behavior.
- By training the 'leave it' command, dog owners can give their pets the vital skill to avoid dangerous situations and potentially save their lives.
- Juliana's Instagram account (@jwdogtraining) offers direct demonstrations and guidance on how to train the 'leave it' command, emphasizing the importance of clear cues, reward timing, and eye contact during training sessions.
