Impulse Control and Teaching Your Dog the ‘Leave It’ Command

Every dog has something they can’t resist. For some, it’s a dropped piece of food. For others, it’s a squirrel or that stray cat in the neighborhood. Whatever it is, your dog sees it, locks in, and the rest of the world disappears. The “leave it” command interrupts that moment before they lunge.

Know What You’re Actually Teaching

“Leave it” goes beyond getting your dog to ignore something. The real goal here is impulse control, the ability to pause between seeing something appealing and acting on it.

Start Simpler Than You Think You Need To

Most people introduce “leave it” with something tempting and then wonder why their dog struggles. Start with something a little more low-value, like a piece of kibble, and work in a low-distraction environment.

Hold whatever it is in your closed fist. When your dog stops nosing at your hand and pulls back even slightly, reward with something better from your other hand. They’ll start to realize that ignoring that thing gets you something better.

Add the Word Once the Behavior Exists

Say “leave it” before your dog knows what it means, and you’re just making noise. Wait until they’re easily backing off from the low-value item, then start pairing the word with the behavior. They start to learn the implications because it comes before something your dog already understands.

Raise the Stakes Slowly

Once your dog has the concept down, it’s time to increase difficulty, but do it one variable at a time. Make the item more tempting, or add mild distractions, maybe practice in a new location. Don’t do all three at once.

Practice on the Ground, Not Just in Your Hand

Real-world “leave it” situations don’t usually happen in your hand. Once your dog understands the hand exercise, put the item on the ground and cover it with your foot, and follow the same process. Then practice with the item uncovered and your dog on leash.

Be Consistent About What It Means

“Leave it” should mean one thing: don’t interact with that at all. If you use it sometimes to mean “drop it” or “come back here,” you’ll dilute the command. “Leave it” should always mean don’t touch it, don’t sniff it, don’t even look at it for long.

If you’re struggling to get traction with “leave it” or other commands, Dog Training Now Charleston’s programs can help. Reach out to find the right training option for your dog.