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How To Teach Your Dog To Drop It
Teaching your dog to Drop It allows them to learn that if they let something go from their mouth, they’ll get something else that’s (even more) rewarding. It can be used when your dog has either an acceptable item, like a rope toy, or an off-limit item, like your shoe, though in these circumstances, management needs to also be incorporated by consistently keeping such items out of your dog’s reach.
A reliable “Drop It” can be a lifesaver.
Showing your dog that you don’t just take things away and that they’ll get other things, like a better “toy” or another throw of the ball, can help prevent resource guarding. In other words, making your dog feel there’s no need to protect something, like a toy, a location, or even you; There’s always more because you are a generous leader that provides what they want and need. It’s almost magical how much you give!
A good partner to “Drop It” is “Fetch.” “Fetch” means put this item in your mouth and return it to me (a retrieve). To help prevent injuries during “Fetch”, as with other exercises, it’s best to work on a non-slippery surface.
Drop It & Fetch Training Goal:
Your dog is doing great when they can: 1) Get into Park position, 2) Wait until they hear, “Fetch” to retrieve the item you place or throw out of their reach, 3) Bring it back to you, hear “Drop It,” and 4) Release the item into your hand or at your feet.
Drop It & Fetch Injury Prevention Tip:
Once you’ve worked up to the step where you throw the item for your dog to retrieve, you should first get them in the Park position (your dog is at your side facing the same direction and in an optional sit depending on your training goals). Having them face the same way as you and in the direction you'll throw the item, helps avoid quick, injury-inducing turns when they take off in high gear.
DROP IT & FETCH PREPARATION
Collect 3-5 of your dog’s favorite toys and place them in a shopping bag. Each toy should be large enough that you can hold it while your dog plays and they won’t be “forced” to make contact with your hand because there isn’t enough surface area on the toy. Ropes and oversized toys are great options.
Bring your dog and the toy bag to a quiet room (these images are from a demo during one of my group dog training classes).
STEP 2: LURE INTO POSITION. Keeping a small amount of tension on the toy, and with your dog’s mouth still on the it, walk backward to turn your dog toward you. Keep backing up until they are facing your body and then stop stepping. Play tug for 2-3 seconds with your dog, keeping the tip of their nose no higher than their shoulders, if not lower, to avoid undue stress on their spine. Stop playing by letting go of the toy. If your dog runs away with the toy, put them on leash and anchor the end or mid-point of the leash under your knee or shoe to keep them nearby. Getting them facing you helps line them up to “Drop It” into your hand or at your feet in the next step.
STEP 3: CAPTURE THE DROP IT. Bring the other toy from around your back, moving it playfully 1-2 feet from your dog’s nose, and ending up with the toy on your right side. Watch your dog’s mouth and as they open to release their current toy while still in front of you, say “Drop It,” followed by “Good.” As your dog opens their mouth to put the toy you’re playing with in their mouth, say, “Fetch,” quickly followed by “Good,” but don’t let go of the toy. Repeat Steps 2-3 until you have a 90% success rate before you move on, so success 5 out of 5 reps for 4 out of 5 sessions.
STEP 4: CUE UNDERSTANDING. Feet & Paws encourages you to only have your dog fetch items that are thrown or placed in front of them in order to avoid injuries. For this reason, start asking your dog for the Park position before inviting them to Fetch (Learn Park Position COMING SOON).
Note: The following images don’t reflect the incorporation of the Park position since this was this puppy’s first Drop It & Fetch training session.
With the toys behind your back in your left hand, say “Park” (or whatever your Cue is for your dog to be at your right side facing the same direction), only luring if necessary. Once your dog is in position at your side, say “Fetch” then present one toy in front of their nose. When they grab it, say “Good,” remove your hand for a second, and put it back. Keeping a small amount of tension on the toy, and with your dog’s mouth still on it, walk backward to turn your dog toward you. Keep backing up until they are facing your body and then stop stepping. Play tug for 2-3 seconds then let go of the toy. Say “Drop It” and “Good” then treat when they release the toy (into your hand or at your feet). Shoot for 5/5 reps, 4/5 sessions before you go on.
STEP 5: DELAYING THE GOOD. Still asking for “Park” first, gradually progress to saying “Fetch” and then placing the toy slightly further in front of your dog so they have to take a step to grab it. When your dog grabs the toy, let go and walk backward. Your dog should turn toward you, but if not, grab the toy and keep a small amount of tension on it as you back up. Step back until your dog is facing you, then stop. Say “Good” so your dog learns this is the desirable end “Fetch” position. Let go of the toy (if you’re still holding it) and say, “Drop It”, followed by “Good” when they release the toy (into your hand or at your feet). From here either start again from the Park position (no need to treat, playing again is the reward!) or give them more praise and treat. Shoot for 5/5 reps, 4/5 sessions before you go on.
STEP 6: IMPULSE CONTROL. Gradually change the presentation until the toy is lying on the floor in front of your dog. If you have trouble, try keeping your fingers on it to present a familiar picture to your dog. Gradually take your hand away. Your dog is doing great when you can get them into Park position, wait until they hear, “Fetch” to retrieve the item you place or throw out of their reach, bring it back to you, hear “Drop It” and release the item into your hand or at your feet.
Drop It & Fetch Troubleshooting
If your dog won’t let go of the first toy even when you’re engaging with the second toy, try another toy. You’ll quickly learn your dog’s toy hierarchy. You can also try lower-value items like a doggie dumbbell or wooden dowel. In the beginning also make sure there is enough space between the toys to allow you time to say the “Drop It”, “Good”, and then “Fetch” as your dog grabs the new toy.
How To Teach Your Dog Drop It Video Coming Soon
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