Getting Your Dog to Drop

I need a bit of advice on getting Bo to drop things. She's never been that great at it to be honest but about 80% of the time now she will drop toys or stolen socks etc first time sometimes it takes a bit longer. The real problem now is with food, if she's got a chew or pigs ear she will not let go at all, she doesn't growl or is nasty about it, she just will not let go for love nor money and it's a real struggle to take it off her.

Any advice on how to go back to square one with her would be greatly received!

For me i have taught the word "loose" which applies to everything be it ball, bones or food.

Despite using the same method for all of my dogs the only one true to form and who will let everything go no matter what it is is Charlie. The boys do need to be told more than once as they are as stuborn as mules

My advice would be to continue what you did with the socks etc and just keep at it. Eventually it should sink in.

Yep.. Same with Bronx.
I use "Leave it"... But then with some eye contact and repeating it a few times , he lets it go.
He never growels, or even tries to pull away... Just keeps hold of whatever it is, till he decides he might as well go along with the crazy idea and let the boss have it.
I don't even think he is stubborn.. I think he just doesn't see the point..cos it's his.. And from what I recall, he only ever picks up things that are his toys - so he just doesn't get why I would want them..

I definitely think Bo has a tendency to be stubborn (typical women) that or as you say Markey she just can't understand why the hell I'd want a half chewed, soggy pigs ear, unless it was to do stupid pig impressions to freak the missus out, but I wouldn't ever do that now would I...

I also use leave it, mine will drop back away and sit. I don't think Ive ever actively taught them that I think one of them did it the first time and then moved and I praised them and now they all do it!

i like the others use only the one command for all manner of things, including if they were to pay to much attention to another dog / person whatever
Start with treat in your hand, let your dog sniff the treat, say "leave it" wait for the dog to back off, look away or look at you (it may take 30 mins it may take a few seconds, just be patient) when he does repeat "leave it" and reward your dog with the treat. Once you are doing this confidently and you KNOW your dog knows what you want you can put the treat on the floor with the same command...then move onto toys, then move onto toys in his mouth.

very brief explanation, but hopefully it will help

Cheers eveyone, like I so she's ok at leaving toys and things, not 100% but not bad and we use leave it, but with a chew she is a nightmare, just have to keep trying with her. Thanks again.

She's not mouthy or nippy is she?

Not particularly, she has bit of a go when she's over exited or gobbing off when she's getting told off. When she's got hold of a chew, she doesn't do anything just holds on and doesn't make a sound, doesn't shake her head, just clamps down.

Cheat - Stick your fingers in her mouth and go "ouch leave it ouch" or whatever you said when she was younger and tried to mouth/nip your hands - just put the 'leave it' in the middle. Worked for Xan.

Hmm, might have to give that a try, that's if whatever she got hold off is big enough for my to get my finger in as well.

Just stick them in wherever. Usually there's a spot behind the canines without teeth you can get your finger in - lol

swap it for something else! Dogs love the swap game