Jaws of Steel

is it a bully breed?
with them you can pinch the skin at the edge of thier mouth into thier mouth, forcing it to open.

Stop leaving those things on the floor until you've trained DROP IT better.

jesirose said:

Stop leaving those things on the floor until you've trained DROP IT better.

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What is the best way to train DROP IT? We're working on this command with our newly adopted shelter dog, and it's hit or miss. I've been offering a more enticing item, so he'll drop what's in his mouth for the new toy, but if he really likes what he has (such as socks, his great love) he won't always go for the trade. Then what?

Also, we have 4 young kids, so the advice to not leave things on the floor, while good advice, just isn't going to fly. They're young and they forget.

The first thing I'd do is offer a trade. If he's not willing to trade, sometimes I get hold of another item (anything else, maybe a dog toy) and start paying attention to it instead. I completely ignore the dog. Usually the dog is chewing on something because he's learned it focuses the entire room's attention on him, and often ends in a fun game of chase. If he sees that's not going to happen, very often he loses interest.

That's what I do too, ignore!! Bayley loves stealing my socks but doesn't actually eat them, she shakes the c$%p out of them and trots around like a little princess teasing. If I ignore her, after a few minutes, she drops the sock and goes off to something else. Strictly an attention getting ploy on her part.

missilebird said:

What is the best way to train DROP IT? We're working on this command with our newly adopted shelter dog, and it's hit or miss. I've been offering a more enticing item, so he'll drop what's in his mouth for the new toy, but if he really likes what he has (such as socks, his great love) he won't always go for the trade. Then what?

Also, we have 4 young kids, so the advice to not leave things on the floor, while good advice, just isn't going to fly. They're young and they forget.

Click to expand...

Start with boring items and trade for treats. As soon as he opens his mouth, click, treat, give BACK the boring toy. Once he drops it as soon as you put your hand near his mouth, say drop it, click, treat, toy.

Then you move to better toys and socks.

Train the kids and yourself too. Before letting the dog out of his crate and into that room, check for socks, shoes, shirts, etc.

If he has a sock, just leave the room to find another sock and his toy. Offer the exchange with the new sock and quickly swap it out for the toy, and hide the socks. Use treats if needed.

I taught my pup at a young age to drop it. I think he was only 9 weeks. He to loves to put anything that would fit into his mouth. I started teaching him with his own toys. Play tug and than tell him to drop it in the middle of the play and if he does I give him a big good boy and rub him than give the toy back. I dont know if this will help with you but it sure did work for me!