Drop It

“Drop it” gets your dog to willingly release whatever is in their mouth. It’s taught through trading, never through prying.

🐾🐾 · ~7 days · 5 min/session

Learn first: Leave It

Step-by-step

1. Start with a game of tug

   Give your dog a tug toy and play for a few seconds. Stop tugging, hold the toy still and bring a tasty treat to their nose. Most dogs release instantly — a mouth can’t hold a toy and eat at the same time.

2. Mark the release

   The instant the jaw opens, say “Yes!” and deliver the treat. While the dog chews, calmly pick the toy up. Repeat the play–release–reward cycle five or six times.

   💡 Give the toy right back after the reward. The lesson is “releasing restarts the game”, not “releasing ends it”.

3. Add the cue “Drop it”

   Once the trade is smooth, say “Drop it” right before presenting the treat. After a dozen reps, try the word alone with a treat ready in your pocket. Reward the release instantly.

4. Practise with different objects

   Repeat with other toys, then low-value chews, then higher-value ones. Rank items from “meh” to “treasured” and don’t skip levels. For the most precious chews, bring out the most delicious treats.

   💡 If your dog guards food or objects aggressively (growling, freezing), stop and consult a positive-reinforcement trainer.

5. Take it outside

   Practise on walks with found sticks and leaves before you ever need it for something dangerous. Carry rewards with you for the first few months. A well-paid “Drop it” today means a spat-out street bone tomorrow.

Common mistakes

• Chasing the dog to get the item back — it turns stealing into the greatest game ever.
• Prying the mouth open — it destroys trust and encourages guarding.
• Only trading when the item is “forbidden” — the dog learns “Drop it” means losing out.

Problems & solutions

My dog runs off with the prize when I reach for a treat.

Train on a leash indoors and start with items your dog barely cares about. Sit on the floor instead of looming over them — looming makes many dogs bolt.

They drop toys but not food they’ve found.

Found food is a jackpot and needs a higher currency. Practise “food for better food” trades at home — a piece of kibble for chicken — before expecting success on the street.

Reward ideas

Treats worth more than the item: chicken, cheese, dog-safe paste. Getting the toy back is an equally important reward.