Daisy’s dog walker was desperate when she called me. “I love Daisy,” she said, “but I can’t stop her from chasing joggers and bikers.”
For Daisy, chasing a moving target was all in good fun. It was more than fun, it was instinct. As a border collie, Daisy was just doing a job she was genetically hardwired to do! Unfortunately for city-dog Daisy, humans, no matter how fast they’re moving, are not farm animals and her walker was at her wit’s end.
For a dog that chases moving objects, a standard recall, even a strong one, may not be helpful. “Come” has one meaning to a dog, “come back to me!.” It doesn’t communicate the most crucial information that a dog in hot pursuit of fun might need: “leave that thing alone!”
There is a cue, though, that does the job and does it well: “Leave it!”
There is a cue, though, that does the job and does it well: “Leave it!”
The leave it command is a high value cue to teach a dog, and one of my favorites in dog training. I’d argue that “leave it” is an even higher value command than “drop it” because it’s versatile. It not only means leave alone that gross thing on the sidewalk or that approaching pup; a strong “leave-it” acts like a superman-level recall for a dog that loves to chase.
Chasing intriguing objects is instinctual for most dogs, but dog owners need to be able to quickly end a chase that could be dangerous, destructive, or rude. As a professional dog trainer, here’s how I teach dogs to leave it.
How to teach a dog to leave it, by grade level
Kindergarten: Start with a tasty treat under the toe of your shoe (make sure your dog can’t snatch it). Let your dog sniff, lick and paw the toe of your shoe. Patiently wait until they get bored and give up.
The moment they turn away from your shoe, mark it with a word (“YES”) or clicker and reward your dog with a treat from your open palm—never the treat you’ve just asked them to leave alone. Repeat 5 times.
Next, add your cue. Make eye contact and say “Leave it!” firmly when your dog first notices the treat under your toe. Reward them with a tasty treat from your hand when they turn away. Repeat 5 times.
1st Grade: Put a treat on the floor and hover your toe nearby. Immediately ask your dog to “leave it.” If they go for it, smash the treat with your toe. If he leaves it, reward with a treat from your open palm. Repeat.
2nd Grade: Drop a treat from a few inches off the floor. Ask your dog to “leave it” as you drop. If they do, reward from your hand. If your dog doesn’t leave it, return to 1st grade.
3rd Grade: Gently roll a treat or toy behind you between your legs. Ask your dog to leave it right when you release the object. Mark and reward if your dog leaves it. Repeat.
4th Grade: Continue your 3rd grade exercise but exaggerate your movements, throwing the object farther, faster and in different directions. Repeat.
5th Grade: In advance (or with a friend), plant some interesting treats or toys along a common walking route. Walk by, asking your dog to leave each object and reward when they turn away. If this is too tough, start in a quiet location like a backyard. Repeat.
6th Grade: Start using your “leave it” on regular leashed walks. Try it first in quieter areas, asking your dog to “leave it” when you see anything interesting on the ground or approaching you. At this stage, you want to always reward your dog for good behavior. Work up to busier, more exciting walks.
The key is to ask your dog to “leave it” when they first notice and begin moving towards a target.
7th Grade: Try your leave it cue in a quiet off-leash area. You can try throwing a toy or simply ask your dog to leave alone things like other dogs and birds. The key is to ask your dog to “leave it” when they first notice and begin moving towards a target. If you say the cue too late (i.e., once your dog has gotten close to the target), your cue is less likely to work.
If your dog fails to respond, calmly leash them and stand still, holding them close to you for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Failure to respond to your cue results in temporary removal of your dog’s freedom.
High School: Try your “leave it” cue when your dog is off leash at a dog park or active off-leash area. Remember to say your cue when your dog first goes for something (not when they’re in the middle of a chase) and to give them a short time out if they fail to respond.
Bottom line, you won’t regret teaching your dog this vitally important command that you can use with your dog every day. Mastering the leave it command will help keep your dog (and whatever they’re chasing) safe and make your walks more relaxing and enjoyable.
