Stay, leave it.... then what?

[Kittilicious]

Knuckles has mastered the stay and leave it, but there is one problem - releasing him from either one. Say I have a treat, it could be a piece of steak, I put it in the floor in front of him and say "leave it" - he removes himself from it. He doesn't get up, but he turns his head and completely ignores it. Then when I say "ok" or I've even changed to "take it", he looks at me like I'm asking him to murder someone and he won't take it. I have to pick up the treat and hand it to him. This has been going on for weeks.
Now... we are in the "stay". He'll just sit/lay there, no matter how much I call him, he won't come to me. (He is getting really good at recall in any other situation, except for when playing with Saki) I have to walk over and grab him by the collar and walk him to where I was.

The biggest part of this? He only seems to do this with me. Something maybe related, but I'm not sure - he REFUSES to play tug-o-war with me. Anyone else he will, me? He drops his side as soon as I grab the other.

[BR870]

I was always taught that once you say "leave it" that the dog never gets that thing. So no changing to "take it" afterwards. Its too confusing. "Leave it" means that is not for you...

As for the "stay"... Not sure. Maybe you need a high value reward. I dunno, I'm still working on Abbie's "platz" so I'm not in a position really to tell anyone how to do it, since Abbie's "platz" is far from perfect. We have the opposite problem of her trying to anticipate the recall and recalling when the slightest wind blows or I slightly shift my weight on one foot or my eye twitches...

[Lilie]

"Leave it" at my house means that it isn't, nor ever will be yours. I use "wait" as a command that means you're going to have (or do) it, but not at this moment. Because Hondo has a strong cat drive, I have to have a serious "leave it" command.

But I don't think your pup is getting hung up on the verbage of the command. I think it's getting hung up on the release. I use 'free dog' when I release from a 'stay' or 'wait' command. When I use the 'free dog' command I always throw a party when I say the word. I want him to know he is being rewarded for the initial command - the treat is just part of the reward.

If I use 'leave it', say for a piece of steak and attempt to put it on Hondo's paw, he'll draw back. He doesn't even want it touching him. I have to use 'wait'. He taught me that 'leave it' is a serious command to him and not to be used with basic OB games.

[SamanthaBrynn]

I have been trying to use "wait" when I have a treat and I want her to stay and wait. IDK...she doesn't release from that either so when you figure it out, let me know. I also pretty much had epic fail with 101 things to do with a box last night lol So I'm no good to help.

[Kittilicious]

I use "leave it" for a wait... I guess it doesn't make sense, but thats how I have Saki trained. When it's something they just can't have it's a stern "NO, thats not for you" (I have strange commands, I know) I would think that "leave it" and then "ok", Knuckles would see Saki take the treat and learn from her what "ok" means, but it doesn't seem to work that way, which is why I changed to "take it" (which Saki took to right away in replace of "ok").
Even in a stay, Saki will come to me when I say "ok", but Knuckles just sits there. But it's the same whether Saki is included in on the training or not.
Knuckles doesn't seem to have a high food drive at all. He likes treats, but he's not all upset if he doesn't get one. I"ve tried steak, hot dogs, cheese.... if he gets it, great, if he doesn't, no big deal. I can't seem to find anything that motivates him, but he loves to learn. He is very alert and happy to please, he just can't seem to get a grasp on the release of anything. It's almost like he's trying too hard.

[BR870]

How old is he? Assuming he's pretty young, all obedience should be a fun game. No compulsion corrections or pressure...

I made the mistake with Abbie of putting too much obedience on her at a young age. Now that we are training her with the local Schutzhund club, its causing some issues. With me she's alittle flat in obedience, but the more experienced handlers can bring it out of her much better than I can currently. I should have focused more on getting good drive, and less on obedience. Luckily she has the drive in her, so its fixable...

At this young age, don't get hung up on obedience. Get a good bond, make it all fun and happy, get him showing good drive and spirit, make sure he is eager and pushing to do obedience, and when he gives you what you ask for reward and treat and throw a party then quit for the day while you're ahead and leave him wanting more... Atleast thats how I am doing it now

[MaggieRoseLee]

Really really recommend clicker training (or at least the methods, clicker just makes it clearer and faster for the pup) to help you understand this. I know if I'm teaching a command/behavior and it's not clear to ME then it darn well isn't clear to my pup either !

This site even has a great video on teaching 'leave it' click this --> Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!)

Good luck!