“Drop it,” can be one of the most useful things we can teach dogs to do. It can save them from illness or injury if they grabs something harmful. At minimum, dog owners will be happy if they can reduce the sometimes endless keep-a-way games.
Source: Petcha, April 18, 2017.
Most dogs learn early that the best way to gain attention is to take things they shouldn’t have. It is simply attention-seeking behavior. Once they grab a forbidden object, our immediate response is to, at the very least, walk toward the dog. Dogs take this as a signal that we want to play chase. They take off looking forward to the game of keep away. We also create value in the object we go after. It must be really good if everyone wants it. In some circumstances we can even cause dogs to guard the object.
INSIGHTS: Share this article with clients. Consider including it in new puppy kits or during puppy training classes.