Obedience Training - Drop It

In this lesson, Dave will show you how to teach your dog the drop it cue. This will help when they put things in their mouth that they shouldn’t.

Entice your dog to play with one of their favorite toys.
Place a treat in the palm of your hand and close your hand into a fist.
While your dog is holding the toy, bring the hand with the treat in it up to their nose.
As your hand approaches their nose, say ‘Drop It’ in a clear and neutral tone.
If they let go of the toy, mark and reward with the treat from your hand.
If they don’t drop the toy, open your hand and present the treat to their nose to offer a visible trade. If they let go, mark and reward.
Pro Tip: Use a toy to start to play with your dog, then turn it into a game of tug-of-war. Have a few treats in your pocket and work your ‘Drop It’ cue into the routine. Return to play after they drop it by giving the toy back to the dog, so that they learn that the cue doesn’t mean the play stops, just to let go of the object.

Lesson Content