Teaching a dog the command “Drop it!”

Teaching your dog the "out" command is very important, because on a walk, for example, it could happen that he suddenly has a live animal or even something spoiled or poisonous in his mouth, which he should release as quickly as possible.

The command "Drop it!" can be very helpful

Many puppy owners find out early on what advantages it can have if their puppy knows the "out" command. This applies, for example, if he is working on his favorite slipper, poking a sock, chewing on a plastic object or cable or eating something inedible. Dangers are also a constant threat when out and about. Unfortunately, not all people mean well by dogs. Every year there are deaths because dog haters put out poisoned bait. A reliable "off" could prevent some dogs from swallowing bait, decomposed carrion or excrement and save them from worse.

The "out" command is particularly important for dog breeds that are known to eat anything lying on the ground. But animal welfare dogs that may have had to fight for survival on the streets in the past and have therefore eaten anything they can find are also particularly at risk. To be on the safe side, however, every dog should be taught early on to give something away voluntarily.

The difference between "Drop it!" and "no"

The commands "off" and "no" are similar, but should still be distinguished. No means that the dog should stop a certain behavior. The "off" command is about the dog giving up something from its mouth immediately. As described above, this can be a matter of life and death. Therefore, learning this command is recommended for every dog.

Practicing "Drop it!" with your puppy

Before we explain the structure of the "off" command, puppy owners should remember that their pups have a very short attention span. They can often only concentrate for one or two minutes before they have something else on their mind. It is then no use trying to force them to do more exercises. They are not yet ready for that. Above all, you should also bear in mind that the "Drop it!" command is not as easy as "down", for example. After all, the point is to release the beloved chew rope or a bone, for example. Most of them have learned what the consequences of this could be from their littermates. They grab the item and it's gone. Over time, the puppy learns to hold on to something it loves.

How do I teach my dog to "Drop it!"?

Have treats ready
There is hardly a dog that doesn't love treats. You can therefore be sure that you will get your dog's full attention. And that is ultimately what we want during training sessions. Therefore, equip yourself with a bag of fine treats. They are particularly important for the "off" command, because they are not just a reward, but should be used as an exchange. However, this can only work if they are no less interesting than the object the dog is currently chewing on. Therefore, equip yourself with particularly tasty snacks.
Choose the right time and place
When learning any new command, it is important to choose the right place and time. Even the finest treats may be uninteresting if the dog is full to bursting, completely exhausted or dog-tired. So choose a time when you have the feeling that your dog is receptive and wants to do something together. It is advantageous if there are as few distractions as possible around you. A busy dog run is unsuitable for this. The ideal setting is at home, in your own garden or in a natural environment that is as free of stimuli as possible.
Practicing "off" with a tug toy
A very promising way to practise "out" is with a tug toy. However, this only works if the dog likes this game. In this case, you can encourage him to interact with you using a tugging rope, for example. You hold the rope with your hand, he holds it with his mouth. After a while, you suddenly let go. Many dogs without a counterpart quickly lose interest and release the object. This is the moment when you give the "out" command and reward him with a treat. The dog will not understand the context at first. This takes time and practice. So start again from the beginning if possible. Every time he lets go of the tug toy, immediately say "off" and reward him. Dogs are intelligent and will keep trying to get hold of treats. Accordingly, you have a good chance that sooner or later the dog will understand that the command "out" means to give up an object from his mouth - for which he will be handsomely rewarded.
Practicing out with any object
Dogs can often be taught the "out" command relatively quickly with a rope. However, this is also possible with a toy or chew bone. However, it should not be the absolute favorite toy or the ultimate chew bone. After all, you want to show your dog that it's worth giving something to him. And this only works if the reward is irresistible. So equip yourself with fine treats and get ready.
A good moment, for example, is when the dog is chewing on a soft toy. He will certainly enjoy it, but there is a good chance that he will give it up immediately for a snack. Approach, show him the reward and give the "off" command the moment he releases it from his mouth. You can also do the same with a piece of wood or a chew bone. However, wait until the dog has been able to satisfy his urge to chew a little before suggesting the swap. You can also try carefully removing the bone from his mouth. The dog should not show any aggression! Give him the reward and then the bone back. If possible, practise again straight away or at a later time.
Practice makes perfect
As with any command, it takes time to put it into practice. Remember that this is not "just" about sit or down, but that the dog has to learn to give something interesting. This takes time and patience. If you want to see results, you need to practise often. The requirements can then be increased over time. This starts with not holding the treat directly in front of the dog's nose as an exchange transaction, but instead giving the command and only showing and giving the reward once the dog has carried it out.
You can make the training even more difficult if you want the dog to be prepared to give up his favorite toy, for example, or if there are more distractions around. Gradually increase the level of difficulty so that you are prepared for the worst-case scenario. This is when the dog disappears into the bushes during a walk and then holds something in its mouth. He should drop it as quickly as possible with the "out" command, as in the worst case it could be poison bait. In such a case at the latest, everyone will be happy if they have ensured that their dog is obedient through appropriate training.