Teaching Your Puppy To “Leave It”
There is one command your puppy needs to learn for his own protection, and that is the safety command of “Leave it.”
You are out for a walk and puppy comes upon a roadkill or carelessly discarded garbage. For the sake of his health, you command, “Leave it!” and you will need to enforce it with a gentle snap-and-release of the leash.
If he does not hear (or understand) the “Leave it” command, get his attention followed by “Leave it.”
This one is so important that at four to six months of age you can even use an entrapment as a teaching tool.
When the puppy cannot see you do it, plant a piece of trash, maybe an empty cereal box, on the floor and stick around until the pup goes to investigate.
As he goes to sniff it, shout “Leave it!” and as he retreats at the force of your voice, say “Good dog.”
It is an extremely versatile and useful Puppy training command. It also has an amusing side effect.
Many young puppies respond to the extreme urgency in your voice and not only “Leave it” but do an instant Down flat on the ground!