Drop

Once your dog has mastered "sit" it is time to add another game. I say "game" because remember, these have to be fun for your dog or he just won't do them.

First, ask your dog to sit, and click and reward as usual. Do this a couple of times, it should be familiar by now.

Now, take a particularly good smelling treat - I think I used salami - in your closed hand, and put your hand on the floor in front of your pup. Most likely he will follow it to the ground, but even if he only drops his head, click, and open your hand to give him the treat.

Repeat this and you will find that he will be throwing himself to the floor very quickly to get the yummy salami.

The only trouble you might have is if, instead of lowering himself, he stands up again. This is unusual, but it does happen. If it does, "sit" click and reward for sitting, then try the drop again.

Remember, you don't have to give vocal signals when you are first starting a new command. In fact, if you are going to get the least bit stressed so that it would show in your voice, it's probably better not to!

The hand signal for "drop" is the same as the lure - you are passing your hand down in fron of his face to the ground.

As you can see in the photo of Gem up the top, there isn't anything in my hand. She knows this trick and doesn't need the lure any longer.

If you have questions about "drop" you would like to see in this section, please email me at eliza@elizasart.com