Teaching your dog to drop it is very important for both their safety and your peace of mind. Whether your pup loves playing fetch or occasionally picks up things they shouldn’t, knowing how to drop items on command can prevent dangerous situations and make for a more harmonious home. Let’s get started!

How to Teach Drop It & Why It Helps

Why It’s Important

Dogs are naturally curious and love to explore with their mouths. This can lead to them picking up harmful objects. Teaching drop it prevents them from eating or chewing on dangerous items, ensuring their safety.

Behavioral Benefits

Besides safety, drop it is a great command for behavior management. It helps in controlling resource guarding, a common issue where dogs are overly possessive of toys or food. By teaching them to release objects on command, you help control this aggressive behavior.

How to Teach Your Dog Drop It in 5 Steps

1. Get the Right Tools: Have high-value treats and a few of your dog’s favorite toys ready.
2. Introduce the Command: Let your dog play with a toy, then calmly say drop it while holding a treat close to their nose to get their attention. The moment they release the toy to reach for the treat, praise enthusiastically and give the treat right away. If they hesitate, gently wiggle the treat or move it slightly closer until they catch the scent and let go.
3. Practice Regularly: Repeat this exercise multiple times. Start in a low-distraction environment and gradually introduce more distractions as your dog gets better at the command.
4. Reduce Treats Slowly: Once your dog consistently drops the toy, start reducing the treats but continue praising them. This helps to reinforce the behavior without creating treat dependency.
5. Expand to Real-World Scenarios: Practice drop it during regular activities like walks or playtime to ensure your dog responds in various situations.

These steps will help you teach your dog to drop it, but it’s important to remember problems with this behavior is often a sign of deeper issues such as anxiety or resource guarding.

And until those root issues are addressed directly, they’ll continue to cause you trouble in other areas.

“Okay, so how do I do that then?”

By developing your dog’s intelligence, that’s how! When they get the mental stimulation they desperately need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems start to disappear fast.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games created by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her amazing results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end bad behavior while also teaching your dog to sit, lie down, stay, heel, and walk calmly by your side. It’s simple, and it will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains exactly how her system works here, go take a look!

Choosing the Right Rewards

High-Value Treats

Select treats that your dog loves but doesn’t get often. This could be small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or store-bought high-value dog treats. The more your dog loves the reward, the quicker they’ll learn the command.

Toy Rewards

Some dogs are more motivated by toys than treats. If your dog falls into this category, use their favorite toy as a reward. For instance, if they drop an object on command, reward them with a quick play session with their favorite toy.

Verbal Praise

Never underestimate the power of enthusiastic verbal praise. Always accompany treats or toys with a cheerful “Good job!” to make the experience even more positive for your dog. This strengthens your bond and makes training enjoyable.

Common Problems You Might Have

Lack of Interest

Some dogs may show little interest in treats or toys. Experiment with different types of rewards until you find one that excites your dog. Consider trying real meat or a special toy they’ve never seen before.

Distractions

If your dog struggles to obey the drop it command in distracting environments, practice in a quiet area first. Gradually increase the level of distractions as they become more reliable with the command.

Reinforcement Issues

Consistency is key. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same command and rewards in the same way. Inconsistent reinforcement can confuse your dog and delay progress.

Teach Drop It FAQs

How long will it take to teach drop it?

The time it takes to teach drop it can vary based on your dog’s age, breed, and previous training experience. Most dogs can learn the command in a few weeks with consistent practice.

What if my dog refuses to drop the item?

If your dog refuses to drop the item, you might need to increase the value of the reward. Use something they find irresistible to make the exchange worth it for them.

Can I teach an older dog to drop it?

Yes, older dogs can learn new commands just as well as younger ones. The key is consistency and finding the right motivation for your dog.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to drop it is not only a valuable skill but also enhances their safety and your peace of mind. With patience and the right approach, you’ll succeed in helping your dog master this command.

P.S. Be sure to pin this so you can refer back to the steps!