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.

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.

Choose a Toy
Pick a toy your dog enjoys and is safe for tug play.
Stop Tugging
While playing tug, stop all movement and maintain a firm grip on the toy.
Introduce the Treat
With your free hand, bring a treat towards your dog's nose. When they release the toy, mark and reward.
Repeat & Reinforce
Repeat until your dog learns that stopping the play leads to a treat. Once they release the toy at the sign of your hand moving, remove the food lure and repeat with the bribe.

Add Verbal Cue
While playing tug, stop moving and say “Drop it.” Present the physical cue and mark when your dog opens their mouth.
Reinforce
Mark and reward when they release the toy.
Phase Transition
Once they drop the toy 5/5 times upon hearing your verbal command you can move on.

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.