With the dog leashed, let the dog watch you place a
treat on the floor. When the dog tries to get the treat walk
the other way and say, "Leave it." Be sure not to raise your
voice here (this is not a punishment) just use a natural,
happy tone. Turn and approach the treat again. When
he goes for the treat repeat the words, "Leave it," and walk briskly
in the other direction.
As with all training exercises, this
may take some time. It is crucial that the dog never manages
to get the treat on the floor. You are waiting for the dog to
stop on his own and turn and look at you for direction.
Watch for the slightest hesitation and even a hasty glance backward
at you and reward it immediately with profuse praise and
lots of treats -- but not the treat on the floor -- never the treat
on the floor.
This
exercise is a great way to teach your dog not to pick up
inappropriate objects that might get him in trouble. It
teaches your dog to ignore objects or to stop barking on
command. It also instills that you are the dominant
personality in the relationship and the dog must look to you for
direction at all times.
The "Leave it" command has
many uses. For example, while walking in my neighborhood, I
don't want my neighbors upset with me because my dog lifted his leg
on their rose bushes. So, if my dog stops to sniff, I simply
say, "Leave it," as I continue on. When we go to a park and a
duck or squirrel seems very tempting to my dog, I say, "Leave
it." We are even able to leave our dinner on the coffee table
in our home while we answer the phone or whatever by simply saying,
"Leave it."
It takes practice and
consistency but it pays off in the
end. | 
