Snoot is better on the app!
Click here to download the Snoot App for a smoother experience.
Drop-It
Teach your dog that giving you things leads to even better things
Introduction - Read This First!
Drop-It is the next level of the TRADE that was covered in a previous lesson. Before continuing with this lesson, it helps to review that lesson so you can understand what kind of body language and hand signals to use when you wan to trade for something your dog took.
Why Do Dogs Take Your Stuff Anyway??
Overview
If you've ever played with your dog outside, it should be pretty obvious why they may want to take your shoes, clothes, etc. Usually when they do, you end up chasing them, and that's fun! The first thing to do is understand why they're doing this, then we can communicate what we want them to do instead.
Stinky And Chewy
Dogs need to chew on things! And they may not have enough appropriate chew toys (not stuffed animals) that stink as much as your shoes. The first thing is to make sure your dog is given options each day to chew on appropriate things.
Pro Trainer Principles:
To Change ANY Bad Behavior, Find A Good Behavior To Reward, Then Punish/Ignore The Bad Behavior
placeholderplaceholder
Lots Of Positive Reinforcement And A Little Punishment Is A Powerful Combination
This is a very important concept that comes up a lot in dog training, especially when working on problem behaviors.
If you want to change a certain behavior, you have to use both positive reinforcement to encourage a good behavior, and a little bit of punishment to discourage the bad behavior. Neither reinforcement or punishment is usually effective on their own. When we say punishment, we mean light punishments, like ignoring your dog, using a stern voice, or using a slight tug on the leash.
To Satisfy Chewing Needs:
Chasing Game!
If your dog thinks that when they pick up your stuff that you’ll chase them, they’ll want to do it all the time! The first you’ll want to do is not chase them, and walk up slowly before using the drop-it command that you’ll learn here. The video below is a good example of a dog running away simply because a man is chasing him!
Review Of "Trade"
Overview
Before using "Drop-It" which means your dog drops the shoe, shirt, toy (whatever), you need to walk up slowly and grab the object to do a trade, like this:
Grab With One Hand, Treat In The Other
Walk up slowly to your dog and grab the long side of the toy with one hand and hold it tight so that it will come out if your dog loosens their grip at all.
Say "Drop-It" and Switch Out For The Treat
Say “drop it” (one time!) and show your dog the treat right to their nose. Make sure this is a stinky high value treat and then wait for them to go for the treat and let go of the toy.
Pro Trainer Principles:
Don’t Repeat Commands Multiple Times In A Row
placeholderplaceholder
Dogs Only Understand Sounds, Not Words - Don't Make "StayStayStay" Your Command
Since dogs don’t understand human languages, you should avoid repeating commands like “sit”, “leave it” or “stay” many times in a row. Your dog will just learn that this is the way the command is supposed to sound.
For example, they’ll think the command is “SitSitSit” instead of just “sit”. So when you’re training, just say the command one time and wait for them to do it. If they don’t get it after 5 or more seconds, then you can try again.
"Drop-It" Voice Command Only
The next step is to move past luring and get your dog to do the command with only a hand signal, then get the treat after. When your dog has the toy, show the “treat-hand” and say “drop it”. When they do, say YES! and give them a treat from the other hand.
Pro Trainer Principles:
To Begin Fading Out Treats, Signal With One Hand And Treat With The Other
placeholderplaceholder
Use A "Switch" And "Treat Hand" To Do The Command Without Luring
It’s very important to begin fading out treats as soon as your dog knows how to do the behavior or command you want.
To do this, use the same hand you were luring with, but without a treat. Your dog will think there’s a treat there and follow your hand in the same way. When they do the behavior correctly, say YES and give them the treat from the other hand. This will start teaching them to not follow the treat all the time, but the hand instead.
"Drop-It" On Repeat To Play Fetch!
Overview
When your dog has the toy, show the "treat-hand" and say "drop it". When they do, say YES! and give them a treat from the other hand.
Use 2 Of The Same Toy
Instructions
Throw the toy and call your dog back with the other toy behind your back. When they get to you, say “drop-it” and then pul the toy out from behind your back. As soon as they see it, they might drop the other toy and then you can throw the new one! When they’re going to get it, pick up the toy they had dropped and repeat all over again!
Still Have Questions?