Drop it!... Pleeease

[niche]

How do you get a dog to willfully give you its cherished toy or bone without prying it out its mouth or offering something better?

[NewRottiDad]

Granted, I only have a very young pup on this end, but when we play tug, and I want him to let go, I tell him "Enough," in a firm voice, and in the begining I had to lightly pinch the bottom back corners of his jaw, but he is now releasing almost every time, and he is praised, then get s the toy back to play tug with some more, when I am finished with the session, I let him play with his tug rope for a few minutes by himself. He seems to be very happy doing this, and will bring me his rope, when he wants to play tug. I know I read this someplace, so I am just forwarding on a tip that worked for us.

[niche]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me. I want to get her to that point, but she's stubborn when she wants something really bad. She never growls or anything just clamps down and doesn't want to give it up.

[moondog]

niche - Why is it you don't want to use a trade for the item? I can't tell by your post.

[WorkinDogz]

niche,

Teaching the "out" or drop-it isn't terribly difficult if you're consistant and treat it as any other exercise. By this I mean it's a command; no different than sit, down, stay or heel.

It's not a whole lot different with young dogs than it is with baby puppies teaching the out. Here's the method I use.

Start off with something the dog likes; not necessarily LOVES (like a bone).

Have 2 of them. 2 of the same things. For instance; tennis balls.

(I like to do this with the dog on lead even if it's in the house.)

Give the dog a tennis ball....play with it in his mouth (just so he gets excited and DOES clamp down on it; like he would if he wanted to keep it) then with one hand hold the object in his mouth; and with the other; show him the 2ND tennis ball......using your release command (out, drop it, give.....whatever) Hold the 2nd ball close to his nose; but not on it....and feel free to repeat your release command word in a calm; firm voice....but don't let your hand go of the object in his mouth.

He'll release the object (more willingly and quickly than you might think) and as soon as he does; praise verbally with "GOOD OUT" (or whatever word you use for your release) and give him the 2nd ball.

Even exchange. What you're doing is conditioning the dog that releasing an object (and this does carry over to everything including food if you imprint and condition properly) isn't a bad thing; because you're not an adversary and there is no conflict. He drops it; you give another that's just as good.

After you lay the foundation with something the dog likes; do the same thing with something he LOVES. Pig ears, chew hooves (if you can stand those things) bones.....whatever.

Just have 2 of them and treat it as an Obedience exercise. Repeat a few times each session and then carry on.

If you take the time and are consistant; it doesn't take long for the dog to get the idea that you aren't "taking" something he loves; he's willing to GIVE it to you because you have not been a "bad guy"; just a fair one and it puts no conflict between you and the dog.

In no time; you won't need "2 of" everything......you'll just say drop it, give or out; and the dog will willingly and quickly drop his treasure because you asked and he wasn't put in a position of "defending his right to keep it" when you were teaching him what it means to drop it.

If you do this a couple of times each day; for a few minutes each time.....in a matter of a few weeks I'm willing to bet your dog spits whatever he has right at you.....1st time asked :)

[niche]

WD, thank you so much. That makes sense. I just didn't want to have to trade every time.

[WorkinDogz]

Only while you're laying the foundation, niche.

Consistantly trade; take the time to prove to the dog that you CAN be trusted to give when receiving and it turns into a compliant dog willing to give up WHATEVER they have.

This same principle holds true in regular obedience too ;) Which is why I have to laugh when people get sooo worried that their dog won't respond unless a treat is given a year after the foundation is layed using food.

The complete opposite is true :) They are MORE than willing to respond; not for the treat; but the idea that the treat *might just be there*. Produces a very happy, fast, obedient dog......but......you can't try to "trick" the dog when laying the foundation. Takes time; but well worth it :)