Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

k9HS - Carlos
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 5 hours ago

Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

Hello, Pet Parents! Carlos here.

Let’s talk about two of the most important life-saving skills every dog should know: “leave it” and “drop it.” Whether you’ve got a curious puppy who’s always sniffing out trouble, or an adult dog with a passion for socks and street snacks, these cues can make all the difference when it comes to keeping them safe—and giving you peace of mind.

Teaching your dog to walk away from temptations (before they even touch them!) or to let go of something already in their mouth isn't just about obedience. It’s about impulse control, communication, and building trust between you and your dog. And the good news? You don’t need to be strict or use harsh methods. These cues can be taught kindly, clearly, and effectively—using force-free strategies your dog will actually enjoy.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of “leave it” and “drop it,” how to introduce them step-by-step, and the common pitfalls to avoid—so you and your pup can feel confident and connected, no matter what the world throws your way.

Why "Leave It" and "Drop It" Matter Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

"Leave It": Teaches your dog to ignore or disengage from something they find interesting before they interact with it. This is essential for preventing ingestion of harmful substances and improving impulse control.

"Drop It": Instructs your dog to release an object from their mouth. This is vital for preventing choking hazards and reducing resource guarding behaviors.

Quick Tips for Teaching "Leave It" Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

Start with a Treat in Hand: Hold a treat in your closed fist. Allow your dog to sniff and paw at your hand without opening it.
Wait for Disengagement: Once your dog stops trying to get the treat and pulls away, mark the behavior with a "Yes!" and reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
Introduce the Command: As your dog consistently disengages, start saying "Leave it" before presenting your closed fist.
Increase Difficulty Gradually: Place the treat on the floor, covering it with your hand if your dog attempts to take it. Progress to uncovering the treat and practicing in various environments with different distractions.

Quick Tips for Teaching "Drop It" Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

Use a Low-Value Toy: Begin with a toy your dog likes but isn't overly attached to.
Offer a High-Value Treat: Present a treat near your dog's nose and say "Drop it." When they release the toy, reward them with the treat.
Reinforce the Behavior: After your dog drops the toy and receives the treat, give the toy back to them to show that dropping it leads to positive outcomes.
Practice with Various Items: Gradually use higher-value items and practice in different settings to ensure reliability. Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

Common Mistakes to Avoid Teaching Your Dog Essential Safety Commands: "Leave It" and "Drop It"

Inconsistency: Ensure all family members use the same commands and techniques to prevent confusion.
Advancing Too Quickly: Only increase difficulty when your dog consistently succeeds at the current level.
Negative Associations: Always use positive reinforcement to make learning enjoyable and effective.

Our "Leave-It & Drop-It" Online Course offers step-by-step guidance to help you and your dog master these essential commands. Through force-free, positive reinforcement methods, you'll build a safer and more trusting relationship with your pup.

Join the Leave & Drop it! Online Course!

Online Course

Final Thoughts

Pet parents, teaching your dog “leave it” and “drop it” isn’t just about obedience—it’s about building trust, safety, and communication that lasts a lifetime. With consistency, patience, and a step-by-step approach, these skills will help your dog thrive in everyday life.

Have questions or need help with training? Reach out—I’m here to support you every step of the way!

Carlos F. Morales - CDBC | CPDT-KA

Carlos is the head trainer at Canine High School in Long Beach, CA, a force-free Puppy School and Dog School. He is responsible for creating the school's Dog Training System, Curriculum, and Philosophy. In addition to educating his canine students and their human parents, he runs a teaching school that offers apprenticeship and internship programs for aspiring professional dog trainers. He is a Certified Mentor Trainer for several dog training schools and holds certifications with the IAABC and the CCPDT. He lives in Long Beach, CA, in a little house by the beach with his human, his three dogs GoGo, Kiba, Choji, and a sassy cat, Habibti.