Drop
How to teach your dog to drop anything
This is one of our favorite, multi-purpose behaviors.
This is the cue you will use to have your dog immediately drop anything in the mouth. This works for playing tug, random things found on walks, and really just about anything.
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There are three options for teaching this behavior. Feel free to teach it all three ways! We like to practice Drop frequently so it's ready to use if there is an emergency.
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DROP VERSION 1
This is our favorite way to teach drop. This plan is based on Chiraq Patel's video embedded on this page.
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You'll need treats and various household items for this method.
Goal: Dog drops anything out of mouth on the cue of "drop" in any situation or location.
1
Say drop and throw food on floor- point to food using your hand. Do this when you are both standing and sitting
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 00 - 2:10
2
Practice in different situations (while putting on coat, pushing a cart, carrying boxes, carrying a garbage bag)
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 2:10 - 2:55
3
Vary the positions that you are in when you say drop eg. sit on floor. Practice while dog is laying on bed. Continue to practice in many situations (while unlocking your door, sweeping the floor)
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 2:55 - 3:55
4
Start to train around objects (he uses helmet on floor) then add toys gradually increasing the value of the items. Say drop when dog has toy in mouth. Drop food immediately after regardless of your dogs actions
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 4:00 - 6:00
5
Gradually make the toys higher value eg. squeaky toy, tug toy. Stop tugging once you say the word drop. If dog is more interested in toy than the chicken make the chicken more interesting play with it and not the toy
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 6:00 - 9:15
6
Allow them to continue to play with the toy they dropped as a reward instead of food sometimes
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 9:15 - 9:45
7
Build up to high value food items such as hotdogs and when dog is chewing food
Watch Video Segment Before Practicing: 9:45 - end
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DROP VERSION 2 (Free printable verison)
This plan willl develop a hand signal cue and a verbal cue for Drop. The hand signal isn’t needed for most people, but it helps if you are trying to communicate with your dog during a conversation with another person. We also like to use the hand signal during retrieve and tug games. You'll need treats and a toy for this method. Note, if you have a deaf dog, use this version and use a thumbs up as a marker signal.
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front view
side view
GOAL
RULES
When cued "Drop" with the word or hand signal, dog will drop an item held in the mouth
Start with step 1. Repeat until your dog gets 5 in a row correct, then move to next step. If dog misses 3 in a row, go to previous step.
PRACTICE
Hold your hand like a fist with wrist pointing down,
insert a high value smelly treat between the first and middle fingers.
Once you feel good about moving your hand around with the nested treat,
you are ready to start!
1
With your treat hand ready, do something with your dog that includes holding something in mouth, like fetch or tug. For this example we will use tug but it works with other things too. Play tug with your other hand. When you are ready for your dog to release the rope, Bring your treat/fist close to your dog's nose so they smell the treat and release the rope. When the rope is released, say "yes!" then provide the treat.
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2
Repeat step 1 but don't include the treat between the fingers. When your dog drops the toy, say "yes!" then provide treat from other hand.
3
4
Repeat step 2, but now bring your fist close to the nose and and then spread your hand out like you are dropping something. This will become the cue to drop. When your dog drops the toy, say "yes!" and give a treat.
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then
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Repeat step 4, but say the word "drop" then pause then show the open-your-hand drop prompt afterwards. When your dog drops the item, say "yes!" then provide a treat.
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TRADITIONAL DROP
This plan willl develop a verbal cue for Drop. You'll need some treats and a toy for this method.
TREAT HAND
Hold your treat between your index finger and thumb.
GOAL
RULES
When cued "Drop", dog will drop an item held in the mouth
Start with step 1. Repeat until your dog gets 5 in a row correct, then move to next step. If dog misses 3 in a row, go to previous step.
1
Play tug or fetch with your dog. When your dog has something in the mouth, bring your treat hand to the nose so your dog gets a good sniff of the treat. When he drops the item in the mouth, say "yes" and give him the treat. Resume play.
2
Repeat step 1 but don't include the treat between the fingers. When your dog drops the toy, say "yes!" then provide treat from other hand or grab a treat from your treat pouch and provide. Resume play.
3
Repeat step 2, but say the word "Drop" before your present your hand near your dog's nose. When your dog drops the toy, say "yes!" and give a treat. Resume play.
4
Repeat step 3, but say the word "Drop" before your present your hand near your dog's nose, but this time count to 2 in your head before you put your hand near your dog's nose. When your dog drops the toy, say "yes!" and give a treat. Resume play.
5
Practice!
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PRACTICE
Because Drop is such and important behavior, we like to practice it frequently. This will get our dogs ready to respond if we ever need to use it in a situation where she has something dangerous. Here are some fun ways to practice drop with your dog.
FETCH
Repetitions matter. Practice your drop cue daily during a fun game of fetch. Use a treat to reinforce the drop. If your dog doesn't want to continue the game because she's too focused on the treat, use a lower value treat like a Cheerio or use the repeating the play as your reinforcer
2 BALL FETCH
Practice your drop cue daily during a fun game of fetch. We like to play two ball fetch. Using two of the exact same balls (or toys) throw one and hold the other in your other hand. When your dog brings back the thrown toy, say "drop," then throw the other one as the reinforcer. No treats needed here.
Does your dog like to be naughty? Does running around with contraband like a shoe or sock signal fun? We can use this as practice for drop. Choose something "legal" like a special toy and only use it for this game. When your dog gets near it, pretend like he's not supposed to have it and dramatically act like it's the biggest deal on planet. Be bouncy and fun with some chase movements. If you have a great treat, prompt a drop, give the treat, but don't pick up the toy. Repeat the drama. So many dogs find this to be great fun!
NAUGHTY DOG
TUG
Play tug with your dog. Cue a drop then provide a treat and repeat.
FLIRT POLE
Play flirt pole with your dog. Cue a drop then provide a treat and repeat.