Why Drop It Is an Important Safety Cue Curious dogs can get into trouble when they pick up items like chicken bones or socks. A strong “drop it” will keep your dog from ingesting the contraband and will keep you from paying an expensive veterinary bill. “Drop it” can be challenging to teach, since you might be competing with items that dogs love, like garbage, but steady practice will help create a “drop it” cue that’s almost automatic. How to Teach a Dog to Drop It It’s important to start off “drop it” training by using low-value items that your dog will happily release, and one of the easiest options is to use dog toys Start the process with two toys of equal value. Throw one, and when your dog brings it back to you, offer him the other one by wiggling it in front of him. When he opens his mouth to reach for the new toy, name the action by saying “drop.” Repeat the process until you can say “drop” and have your dog automatically release the toy when you ask. You can also use treats to encourage your dog to drop items. When your dog has something in his mouth that you’d like him to release, place a treat near his nose. Your dog will likely let go of the item in order to get the treat, so say “drop” when he opens his mouth, then give him the treat. Practice this step with a variety of items, until you can ask for the drop without having to put the treat in front of your dog’s nose.,WRITTEN BY Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA Animal Trainer,Image via iStock.com/Dirima By Victoria Schade Going through basic dog training is an important step for pet parents and their dogs, particularly because some of the cues you learn together can be literal lifesavers. While obedience training helps to develop a common language and cement the bond between dog and handler, many dog training lessons also ensure your dog’s safety. Here are four basic dog training cues that might save your dog’s life one day. Why Sit Is an Important Safety Cue Sit is the foundation of all safety behaviors. It can be used to keep your dog from harm by redirecting him if he is reactive around people or other dogs. It can also keep others safe if your dog has a tendency to jump on children or older people. Sit is a basic behavior that every dog should know. How to Train a Dog to Sit Sit is a straightforward cue to teach. Since your dog frequently assumes the position throughout the day, you can take advantage of it by “capturing” him in the act. To train a dog to sit, simply say the word “sit” as your dog goes into the position, then follow up with a small treat. It’ll take about ten to twenty repetitions before your dog makes the association between what he’s doing and the word you’re saying, but you’ll soon be able to say “sit” and have your dog respond. You can also lure your dog into position by using bite-sized, high-value treats, like Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch freeze-dried chicken treats. Take a treat and hold it directly in front of your dog’s nose so that he keeps all four paws are on the ground. Slowly move the treat back over your dog’s forehead, between his eyes, so that his nose follows the movement of the treat. As your dog’s nose goes up, his rump will go down, and the moment his rear hits the ground, give him his treat. Repeat this luring process a few times, then stand still and wait for your dog to offer the position to you. Celebrate with praise and a treat when he does it! On the next attempt, wait for your dog to move into position, and say the word “sit” as he does it. Much like the captured sit, it should take several repetitions before your dog makes the connection between the word and the behavior.
