Teaching your dog to ‘give’ is an important command that can help keep them safe and prevent unwanted behaviors.

With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to “give” on command.

To teach a dog to “give,” follow these steps:

Stage 1: Teach “Give” equals something good

Begin when your dog does NOT have an item in its mouth.

1.1. Choose a treat that your dog loves; this could be your dog’s favorite food or
something they don’t get very often. Soft and smelly foods are most desirable.
1.2. Show your dog the treat > when it’s interested > say “give” and feed your dog the
treat from your hand.

Repeat this 3-5 times (3-5 repetitions = 1 set). Repeat that “set” 5 times in a day. Then, you can
progress to when your dog has something fun that you want them to let go of (e.g. a toy).

Stage 2: Teach “give” means to let go

When your dog has a fun ball or toy.

1. Put a tasty treat in your gently closed hand.
2. Show your dog your hand > wait for the dog to open its mouth and let go of the
toy > say “give” > open your hand to feed the treat fom your hand> and leave the
ball/toy on the floor. (Don’t grab the toy).

Repeat this exercise 3-5 times.

Bribery vs. Reward

In order to prevent the issue of rewarding the dog for stealing items practice the stage 1 and 2
atleast 10 times.

When your dog automatically drops the toy upon seeing your hand or hearing “give”, you can
begin to phase out the “bribe” and add the food reward after the action of letting go.

Stage 3. Phase the bribe and add “Get it”

When you’re playing with your dog and it has a toy in it’s mouth.

1. Just before the dog opens its mouth > say “give” > wait for the dog to let go > “click” or
say “good” > then get a treat from your training pouch > say “get it” and bounce the treat
on the floor in font of your dog (this is your reinforcing termination cue).
2. Leave the toy where the dog dropped it.

Repeat this ~5 times and have a break

Stage 4. Phase the food reward for play reward

When your dog has a toy and you’re both enjoying play or tug.

1. Say “give” > be still, look down and away > when you dog lets go > say “get it” and throw
the toy in front of them to fetch > when they bring it back have a game of tug (be bubbly
and vocal).

Repeat 3-5 times in one set. Don’t over do it. (max 5 reps. Max 5 sets per day) Remember to let
the dog have a few wins.

When your dog has an item you don’t want it to have (shoes, TV remote, etc.):

1. Get five pieces of the world’s most tastiest treat from the fridge and a toy the dog should
have.
2. Place one treat in your gently closed hand > show your hand to the dog > wait for the
dog to drop the item > “click” or say “good” > feed the dog one treat > leave the item on
the ground; walk away 5 paces.
3. Repeat step 2 two more times, but instead of walking away, throw the treat and say “get
it,” leaving the item on the ground.
4. On or around the 4th attempt, the dog should stop looking at the item. When they no
longer want the item > pick it up > immediately replace it with the last few treats (place
the treats on the floor where the item was).
5. Then have a game of tug or play with the toy you want your dog to play with.
6. If the dog wants the item again you remain calm, be still, look away. Teach your dog there
is no game with that item.

Here is another great method and good for a dog with a history of stealing and not letting go:

Hints and tips:

• Start the training early when your dog is still a puppy. Visit Puppy Classes
• Use the word “give” instead of “drop” to avoid confusion with the cue for lying down.
• The dog must find it “more beneficial” to let go of an item.
• The concept is to “trade up.”
• Be consistent with your command words and signals.
• Use high-value treats and rewards.
• Keep training sessions short and fun. Up to 5 reps in a set. Up to 5 sets in a day and only
  5 days in a row – (let your dog have a “weekend off”)
• End each training session so it’s fun for your dog, and they should want more.
• If your dog is struggling to learn the command, try breaking it down into smaller steps.
• If you or your dog is having a hard time understanding, seek advice from a Professional Dog Trainers
  such as the team at Melbourne Dog Trainers