Does your dog love to pick up items and won't drop them when asked? It's not uncommon for dogs to ignore commands such as "drop it," especially if they have an interesting or valuable item. Teaching your pup the "drop it" command isn't a difficult task, but it does take some patience and consistency. Here are some tips on how you can train your pup to drop objects when asked.

Start With Small Items 

Training your dog to drop objects is an important skill that can help keep your pup safe in various situations. The key to success is to start with small items and gradually build up the difficulty.

Begin by selecting smaller objects your pet can easily manipulate with their paws or mouth, like a ball or toy. When near the item, give a verbal command like "drop" so your dog knows what to do when they hear it. Providing a reward once they follow through will also reinforce positive behavior and help create a lasting connection between the verbal command and actual action.

As your dog gets more comfortable dropping smaller items, you can slowly increase their difficulty level by introducing larger playthings or other items into the mix. Be sure to change out the items frequently for maximum success. It is best if the new object has distinct properties from what was used in previous sessions to avoid confusing your pup. 

As always, provide plenty of praise and treats along each step of their training journey so that beneficial results become associated with their efforts.

Practice Regularly 

Dropping and retrieving should be repeated regularly until it becomes second nature to your pup. If your dog is still not responding, try using a hand signal or gesture along with the verbal command to help them understand what is expected of them. Also, make sure that your pup understands the difference between "drop" and other commands, like "leave it" or "take it." If needed, you can use a different word for each command to avoid confusion when giving verbal cues.

To reinforce positive behavior, try practicing in different areas around the house so your pet can learn how their obedience should remain consistent regardless of context. Swapping out the items they are dropping during practice also helps, as it helps avoid confusing patterns while demonstrating that they should be responding promptly no matter what object is involved in the equation.

With some patience and practice, you can help your pup learn the "drop it" command and gain more control over how they interact with objects. It won't take long for you and your pup to be pros at this skill, and it will save a lot of headaches in the long run.

Contact a local puppy training service to learn more.