Leave It & Take It

Week 2 – Leave It & Take It: Spot Nails It

Some dogs need a little convincing. Spot needed about 30 seconds. 😄

The Exercise

Today we worked on two of the most useful cues in the Brain Training for Dogs course – leave it (lämna) and take it (varsågod).

The idea is simple but powerful: Spot learns that ignoring a tempting treat in front of him earns him something even better from the hidden hand behind my back. Patience pays off.

How It Went

We started indoors with a lower-value treat on the floor and a high-value treat hidden behind my back. The moment Spot went for the treat – I told him to leave it (lämna).

At first he tried the classics. A little nudge. A hopeful stare. The full Chipin charm offensive. 🐾

But when he finally backed off Take it (Varsågod) – and out came the good stuff.

He got it faster than expected. By the third repetition he was already hesitating before even trying. By the fifth he was lying/sitting back and waiting like a proper gentleman.

Why This Matters

Leave it (Lämna) isn’t just a party trick. For a reactive dog like Spot, having a reliable “leave it” cue could be a game changer on walks – whether it’s food on the ground, a squirrel, or another dog crossing our path.

We’re building the foundation now. One session at a time. 🧠

Want to follow Spot’s full journey with Brain Training for Dogs? Stay tuned – things are just getting started. 🐾

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