More than just a control technique, the drop it command may also save your dog's life one day. Here's everything you need to know about this command.
An Important Command to Know
Many owners consider this one of the top commands every dog should know. It can keep your dog from eating something that could seriously harm her. The Drop It Command directs your pooch to immediately drop whatever she has in her mouth, be it a grubby tennis ball, your peanut butter sandwich, or a deadly chicken bone.
Teaching the Drop It Command
Teaching the command is much like teaching your dog any command: start simply, remember the three Fs (firm, fair, and fun), and be consistent. Also be sure you feel confident enough to actually take something from your dog's mouth. If you waver on that, the dog will not be trained.
Start out with a non-edible item, such as one of your dog's chew toys. Although commanding her to drop one of her beloved toys might seem harsh at first, the point is to teach her that it doesn't matter what's in her mouth, that you are the one to tell her what is okay or not okay to chew on at any time. She needs to develop that trust in you, rather than try to learn what kinds of things are chewable and what are not.
As soon as your dog picks up the toy and begins to chew it, say, "Drop it," and take it gently from her mouth. Immediately praise her or reward her with a small treat. Let her pick it up again and begin to chew it. Vary the time you let her play with it before making her drop it. You'll need to practice this enough times until she gets the message.
Then, move on to other items and have her practice the same thing. The first time you give the Drop It Command with a new item in her mouth, she may not instantly obey, because she may think the command was for the first toy only. With time and practice (and lots of treats), however, she'll get it.
Don't move on to food items until she has the basic command down pat. If you let her actually eat the food before she learns to drop it, she could consider it a reward and her training could be undone.
Eventually, though, you'll want her obey the drop it command even the very treats that make her quiver with excitement.
