*Disclosure: We only recommend products we have used ourselves and trust. This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
This cue is used to get them to drop or release an item they already have in their mouth.
*Never try to take something out of their mouth unless it is an emergency as this can cause injury to you or your pup and it could also cause resource guarding behavior (getting protective of items which can cause some aggression and breakdown of trust).
We need to always reward them with a higher value treat/reward for choosing to drop the item, as this is very difficult for them and takes a lot of self-control at first.
How to teach the "drop it" cue:
If you walk up to them chewing on something "bad", bring a treat to the pup's nose so they smell it, as soon as their mouth opens and they release the item, say "Good drop it!" and give the treat immediately, pick up the item or remove them from that area, also give a toy or something else appropriate so they don't pick it back up or go grab something else they're not supposed to have.
Stop the chase cycle! If pup tries to run away with the item, stop right before they run and toss a treat near them. If they drop it, great!!! Toss a few more treats! Then go pick up the "bad thing" and leave a "good thing" in its place. If they do not drop it, toss more treats, a squeaky toy, or another favorite toy near them, OR go get better treats! Then, make a trail of yummy treats away from the "bad" item, so they get up to follow the treat trail and move away from the "bad" item. This allows you to go up and take the item and replace it with a good toy.
Practice this when playing fetch or tug of war- offer them a treat, and as they drop it, say good drop it, and give them a treat, then offer the toy again and resume playing, eventually, the toy or gameplay will be the reward instead of a treat. This reinforces the "drop it" cue as a fun, positive activity- then they're more likely to spit it out happily without a second thought.
Then, use this cue in moments when pup has an item in their mouth such as a shoe, sock, remote, etc. Run and grab a higher-value reward! Or better yet, always have some treats in your pockets or nearby for these moments that inevitably will happen.
Puppy proofing and direct supervision are essential for safety, pups are a danger to themselves and do not know what is safe vs not, just like babies and toddlers. X-pens and baby gates are helpful, along with LOTS of toys, with different varieties always around where pup is.
Comments