Drop It

Drop it is a command to tell the dog to open their mouth and drop what’s in it.

It’s useful if your dog has grabbed something they should not have or if you are playing tug or fetch.

It’s best to teach this while in a game of tug. Don’t wait for real world opportunities to then try to teach the dog.
You start with a lure to get them to drop the item for the treat but then you can advance to just giving them back the tug toy.
Set rules for your tug sessions. If these rules get broken end the fun for a little bit.
- They can only go for the tug when you say “Get it” or a marker like “Free”
- No biting hands, they need to learn control and targeting.
- They must drop it when you tell them to.

Videos

Learn how to successfully teach your dog drop it.

This method is good for dog’s that don’t tug much or guard toys/food.

Learn how to successfully teach your dog drop it while also learning how to play tug.

Start with a toy that your dog likes and that you are able to safely play tug with.
While playing tug, stop all your movement and just keep a firm enough grip on the toy so you don’t lose it.
Once you are stopped then bring out a treat with your other hand. Bring it towards your dog’s nose. As soon as your dog releases the toy for the treat mark and reward.
Repeat step 3 until your dog sees that pattern that you stop moving and playing, then the treat comes out, then mouth opens, then mark and reward. Once they start dropping it at the start of your treat hand movement or even as soon as you stop moving then you can name it. You can also remove the food lure from your hand.

While playing tug stop moving then say “Drop it”. Now present the physical cue and mark and reward when they open their mouth.
Once they drop it before you can start moving your other hand 5/5 times then you can move on to phase 3.

Practice with another toy instead of a treat or you can give them the toy they dropped back to them.
Practice without your hand on the toy in their mouth as well.
Practice from a distance.

You can also practice with 2 identical toys. Throw one toy and when your dog has it in their mouth show them the other identical toy in your hand. Make it very exciting. When your dog runs over and as soon as they drop the current toy to get the new one mark “Free” and throw the toy in your hand. Pick up the one they dropped and repeat.
You can add in “Drop it” before you present the toy in your hand and mark and reward with that toy when they do drop it. This helps them learn to drop even if you aren’t touching it and they are moving. It also helps to build on Fetch.

Practice Phase 1 (Luring/Learning) every day 1-3x a day.
Once you can get the dog to drop the item with an empty hand coming towards them then you can move onto Phase 2 (Naming).
Practice the two toy approach once they seem to be responding well to the verbal command when you are holding the toy. They need to be identical toys. Bought at the same time.