Let Go

I've been trying to teach my staffy-cross 'Let Go' using Zak George's method, seen here:



My trouble is that she wont let go at all, chews the ball or toy, tugs at it, even if I hold it still (or try to!), and it can be very painful for my poor fingers as she keeps biting down. I think I need to start wearing gloves as I have puncture wounds

I need to nip this ('scuse the pun) in the bud as I do not want her doing any harm to family members or friends, as she is still quite mouthy when playing.

What are your thoughts?

When playing a game of tug I use the Leave command to get the toy back, then get Rocky to sit until we start again. This gives him the chance to calm down during play and it's under control too.

But does he actually leave it and let go, or do you have to pry is from him? Ive found this just encourages more snapping (usually of my fingers!).

I do however tell her to sit, good girl, then throw the ball for her again, or let her start tugging the toy.

It's just that initial letting go I'm struggling with! She thinks its part of the game when I try to hold the toy still :/

Yes, Rocky will leave the toy when told to, all down to training, time and consistency I guess. I wouldn't go prying the toy from him, no.

I also use the "leave" command on Axl. I taught him to leave using food, in his case cheese as he loves it. Play tug with him then give him the "leave" command and show him the cheese/[insert treat here] when he leaves praise and give him the treat. Rinse and repeat... a lot of times lol. Takes patience and consistent training but it does work

Ah, maybe I will give the food thing a go then. Food wins over toys every time with my girl

lol there you go then Try something that she doesn't always have like hotdog sausage cut into pieces. Has to be tempting

Cheese and peanut butter sends her into a mad frenzy! I shall report back!

I also use food, pairing the 'leave it' with presenting a treat. It always works, well... a treat!

The video's interesting, but I disagree with him on the food question. I don't see what the problem is using food, as long as it's not just random treating that the dog won't understand. The method he shows also assumes that you don't have a dog who will just keep pulling to try and get the ball or whatever, which will create the pull feeling he's after whether or not you want it. I certainly see what he's doing and why, but I'm not sure how easy it would be for anyone to do it with any dog, whereas the food method is easy for pretty well any situation.

Yes I agree - every dog is different.

I am pleased to report that the treats have had some positive effect!

We've just had a ten min game of fetch with her ball (which she bring back to me and collapses head first into my lap with and rolls over - v sweet!), and I've said 'leave it' with the treat balled in my hand. As soon as she drops the ball, I said good girl, and give her the treat.

I'll keep at this daily, and hopefully we'll get there

Brilliant! Glad it worked well, sometimes she may not give it back but the more you do it the better she will get at leaving

Thanks, you guys!

Good! Whatever works for you. I think he meant that for high energy dogs ( like my peppa) the ball and continuing the game is the highest reward which I totally agree but not for every dog. Peppa known drop,leave it and bring me but still holds the ball sometimes I think it makes the game more interesting for her I just keep walking and then she pushes my leg with it or drop it near me.