Recall & safety
Leave it
For the chicken bone on the pavement, and the sock on the stairs.
You'll need: Two kinds of treats — ordinary and very good, A quiet room.
How to do it
- Step 01
Closed hand
Hold an ordinary treat in a closed fist. Let your dog sniff and nudge. Wait, quietly.
- Step 02
Pay the moment they stop
The instant they back off or look away, say "yes" and reward from your other hand with the better treat.
- Step 03
Add the words
Once they're backing off quickly, start saying "leave it" just before you present your hand.
- Step 04
Make it worth it
Always pay with something better than the thing they left. That's the deal that makes it work outdoors.
If your dog stiffens, freezes or growls over food or objects, please stop and speak to a qualified, reward-based trainer or behaviourist. That's a job for someone who can see your dog in person.
How did it go?
Tell us about your dog and we'll keep track of what you've worked on, and suggest what to try next.
A good one to do next
Find itTen minutes of sniffing that leaves your dog genuinely content.