"leave it"

[boryca3]

We use the same type of technique with regards to our Wrigley's food except a different command: eat. Anytime we set his food down or a treat on the floor he sits wonderfully looking at us and waiting for his command. We can say anything and until he hears the command word "eat" he will not touch the food. I should mention that Wrigley is 10 months old. We do not do this to be "mean" by controlling his food or teasing him.....we do this as another means of establishing ourselves as dominant. We rarely make him wait more than a few seconds and or words before giving him the command. We vary it greatly .....sometimes giving him the command immediately. I fail to see a problem with this type of "training" and am looking forward to more posts on the topic.

Wrigley's Dad

I'm no expert on training, but I use 'leave it!' for things they should not really ever get into, and 'wait' for when I have a toy or treat and they should 'wait' before taking it (i.e. wait for the 'OK!).

Regarding food, I have trained to sit (if needed I say 'sit') and then to look ('look!') at me. Then I put food down and (once I get the 'look') I say 'OKAY!).

[RottnKid1]

Please let your wife know that what you're doing is not cruel. It reinforces to your dog that you are the alpha.

[Homerhomer]

Lately we have introduced the "leave it" command (eg. placed the treat on the floor, told the dog to leave it, let him have it after I say OK).
I also started doing it with his meal. I guess my question is: should I do it with his meal or not? My wife said it's cruel, and that's his food and he should have it right away (I don't ask him to leave it, while he is eating, only when I first place the food on the floor). I ,on the other hand,think that I should be able to tell him to leave it any time I want with anything I want.
Please help, my wife was really upset with me (my marriage will depend on your answers LOL)
Peter & Homer

[Hope]

I agree with you, I don't think that you should pick up the bowl and take it away after the food has been introduced. If you tell him to leave it, and he does until told to eat, then you are doing the job.

Also, another thing, try putting your hands in the food bowl and taking some out, putting it back in. I do this time to time with my Mondo to keep him in check. You shouldn't get any response from your dog, except for an occasional look as if to say, "are you going to eat it or not"?

If you get a response, like a growl, then give a verbal correction, if it continues, THEN TAKE AWAY THE BOWL FOR A WHILE. Then I would repeat the routine. This is what I would do, but I have to say, I did this from 14 weeks of age, and I never got a growl or anything, so I could be wrong about the correction.

[Judy Chrusch]

I use the command "leave it" when Czar
approaches something he shouldn't have or I don't want him to have but not with his food. I do make him wait a bit for his food but I will make him stay and also say "wait" then after a few seconds I say,"o.k" he's only 4 months so I don't push too hard too fast. You're doing the right thing plus their may be a time when he does need to wait for things and you want him to leave it. Your wife needs to understand who the alpha is here. It sounds like you are but she may stand in your way of some things. We as women always feel we need to protect, baby and nurture but in this case you need the upper hand with a rottie. Keep up the good work and have a chat with your wife because you do have to be together on this and you do need control of everything when raising a rottie. Go gentle with your talk though Peter,LOL. Take care, by the way how old is your dog?

Judy

[pride-and-joy]

I battle with my husband about things like that too

No it is not cruel. Making him wait to eat is an excellent tool to reinforce your Alpha position and also proof his stays.

My boy actually puts himself in a down/stay as soon as he hears me open the food bin. He won't move until I release him with a happy "OK."

He is 7 months old now. In the beginning, I started with a very brief sit/wait/release in front of his bowl. Like Judy said, make the duration appropriate for what you think is fair for his age.

Now I load the dishwasher, wipe the counters, feed the cats, etc, making his down/stay last 10 minutes or so. When he is really hungry, he will start to make a puddle of drool on the floor while he anxiously awaits my relase. It is really funny.

[Homerhomer]

Thanks again everyone.
Homer is 11 months old (we got him at the end of November).
I have already told my wife that "the board advised that it is OK to have him wait for his food", and she is doing the same thing for the last couple of days.
But to tell you the truth it is hard to get everybody on the same page as far as the training is concerned (my 7 year old son is doing great (always supervised), always gets Homer to do simple commands before he gives him a treat or a toy, and then he asks "dad, am I a good trainer" - that's so cute). It seems like my wife and myself have some different approaches to training (we are both trying hard and want the best, but she seems to have more of a "humane reasoning" behind it, meanwhile I try to follow advise of the book or this board (we also go to training classes). Well, in our case it is a team work, and we all have to improve ourselves as "trainers".
Anyway, I have two more questions. Some time ago I posted a question about the "come" command. I noticed that he became worse and worse at it. It seems like one possible reason for it could be that my wife would let him of the leash in the park (it sounds like I am blaming everything on her - that's not the case), and when he wouldn't come she would keep yelling "come..come..." five or six times. Now my question is: how do we correct it using the same command, or could we tech him a new command like "get here" to replace the come command. What would be the best, and how can we go about it?
The second question is about "leave it". He does great when I place a treat on the floor or he finds something that is not that tasty, but when he finds something delicious (you now the most disgusting things) then I have to use bitter apple to help me out. Some of you suggest to differentiate the commands for the things he can have, and the once that he is not allowed. Since we started using the same command already, would it be wise to change it?
Any help will be really appreciated?
Peter & Homer

[pride-and-joy]

I agree with Ladybeth. Guess I wasn't clear in my last post. I don't use the command "leave it" before his meals. I simply require a down/stay until released to eat. I was just commenting on how it is not cruel to make them wait.

I use the actual "leave it" command (with a leash correction if necessary) for things like: Not greeting/touching other dogs at training class or those encountered on our walks, and not picking up yucky things or garbage on the ground.

[Judy Chrusch]

Hi Peter, it sounds like you're doing a fine job. Don't worry you and your wife will get together on things, you'll have too in order for it to work. They are animals not people so they don't have the same feelings nor do they think like a human. As far as the commands, continue to use "Come", work on it every day with him on a lead, they know when they are on a lead that they need to comply, so to speak. They usually do very well on it and they will listen eventually off lead if they've been trained enough, it will come, be patient and consistent, though I wouldn't let him off lead till this is accomplished as far as being loose in a park that is. That can be very dangerous especially if he wandered off and perhaps chased someone or something, it's just not a safe thing. Are their other dogs running loose as well, if so I don't think that's a good idea. I don't let my boy loose unless it's in our yard or a fenced in area, you can't trust them especially if he doesn't know the "Come" command too well yet. He in some sense is still a baby and still learning what he can do and what he can get a way with so keep up the good work and work on the commands daily, several times a day if you wish. As far as changing the "leave it" I would let it go if it works for you, if you want to change it slowly change it to stay or wait while still using "leave it" till he slowly catches on that it's changed. Have I totally confused you now,LOL? As far as your son, that's great that he does commands as well and also a good job that he's not left alone to do some of the training, your dog may take advantage of the situation and try to walk all over him, you know what I mean? Anyway, sorry this got so long, I hope this answers your questions. Everyone has different oppinions and different approaches, it all depends on what works for you. I just let you know what works for me. Czar is our third Rottie, he's 4 and a half months old and a real joy, I have all this to look foward too. Well Peter, keep up the good work and best of luck with your pup, he has lots of growing and maturing to do yet. Take care and have a great weekend.

Judy

[Homerhomer]

Judy
Thanks a million for your suggestions and encouraging words.
It was funny, but your last message sounded almost like you saw my Homer in action.
When he is on the leash he comes right away (he must be thinking "I really don't like to be yanked by that leash so I better show up right away"). It's when he is off the leash when he isn't reliable. I understand your concerns with him being off the leash. There are only two circumstances when he is off the leash:
1) doggy park or a park far away from everything when playing with other dogs. My reasoning behind it is that he usually plays with older dogs who are more mature and more reliable ( do I sound stupid here?). In all instances dogs stay close to us, and when the other dog comes, Homer follows. Homer is also very friendly with all of them, sure he tries to get away with some things, but backs off when told (by other dogs) to behave. Homer also isn't a very dominant dog, so he easly makes lots of friends (humanes and animals). I also find that this is the best way to keep him socialized and exercised.
2) The only other time he is off leash when I take him to the park late at night, and there is no chance that there would be anyone there (it's cold like hell here, sure it won't be like that when it gets warmer). It's sort of to give him few minutes of fetch before he goes to bed. I put him back on the leash when I see that he doesn't feel like running anymore.
Judy, thanks once again, we are gonna continue working together as a family (gee even cat is watching when Homer sits, stays etc, and than she looks at me like "is this big dog ever gonna move out"LOL) it's is so much fun.
BTW, I just received a copy of " The complete idtiot's guide to rottweilers (it took only 5 weeks). We sure are gonna learn lots from there.
Have a Great Weekend.

[Ladybeth1]

I only use leave it when I Odin gets close to something he shouldn't have. I use the sit or wait command when I put his food down, to train him to wait until I say it's okay to eat. I think using the same command in both situations may be a bit confusing.

[Judy Chrusch]

Peter, like I said it sounds like you're doing a great job!!! I'm glad I could be of some help. I may have mentioned Czar is our third Rottie, Ceasar who died at the age of 7 in July was a pistol, somewhat a handful and yes believe it or not I could actually visualize your dog, on and off the lead. Isn't this breed just wonderful, we are enjoying Czar so much, we had a very big hole in our hearts when we suddenly lost Ceasar, not to mention my Brutus who died 3 years ago, anyway keep up the good work, sounds like you're doing all the right things. Just remember, when Homer is playing with others they will stay in packs and possibly run off so you do want him to eventually "come" when called and believe me it will happen with you because you want it to. I'd love to see a pic of Homer. I want to post one of Czar as soon as my son can help me. About all I can do on here is e-mail and post on the rott. forum. You and your family have a great weekend. My best to you in raising the best their is, rottweilers!!!! Keep us posted on Homers progress.

Judy

[Homerhomer]

Yeah, unfortunately their lives are so short, and it must be hard to see them go.......
I will post Homer picks as soon as I can get someone to scan them for me - I am a complete technoidiot, and can't do it myself.
Have a Great Day.

[RottiMomCT]

I use 'leave it' for when the dogs are heading for something they should not have, or when they have been caught with a forbidden object, or, when they will not stop licking my hubbies head (odd thing, but they love to do that...anyone know why?!?!). "Wait" is used when Iopening ANY door (including the crate), and when they eat, sitting nicely before each bowl is put down. Otherwise, I'd get run over by 5 hungry dogs twice a day!!

One of the most recent additions (115 lbs, male gooberhead Rottie) is the last to be fed, and will eat 1 1/2 cups of food in under 2 minutes. He used to jump on me, and knock the bowl over, that is, until I squirted him in the face with water when he jumped (no bowl knocked over that day!). I then had him sit, and told him to wait until I had the bowl on the floor (well, actually it's on top of a 5 gallon bucket). He didn't quite get it the first few times, but now I say nothing. He automatically sits and I just point at him and he waits until I give him the OK command, then, he dives right in, then 'trolls' around the kitchen looking for anything the others may have left behind (which is always empty bowls!)