Drop It

Week 3 – Drop It: The Lifesaver Cue

So, a few weeks ago — yes, I know, it’s been a while between sessions, but my human threw his back out pretty badly… he’s okay now though, and honestly I’ve been very patient about the whole thing.

Anyway. A few weeks back I learned “leave it.” This week the humans decided I also needed to learn “drop it.” Apparently these are two different things. I had questions. They had treats. We reached an understanding. 🐾

Leave It vs. Drop It – What’s the Difference?

Here’s how it was explained to me, dog to dog:

Leave it means don’t pick that up.
Drop it means whatever is already in your mouth — let it go.

The Brain Training for Dogs course calls “drop it” a potentially lifesaving cue, and honestly that tracks. If I’m ever holding something I shouldn’t be — and let’s be realistic, it happens — Dad needs a way to get it out of my mouth fast, no negotiation.

How We Trained It

We followed the course method, which is built around one simple idea: the trade has to be worth it.

Dad grabbed one of my toys, made it look interesting, and tossed it on the floor. I picked it up — obviously. The moment it was in my mouth, he said “drop it” and held a treat by my nose.

I did the math. Toy in mouth versus snack in hand. The snack won. I dropped the toy, he marked it, and I got paid. 🐾

We repeated this a few times until I clearly understood the game. Then came the upgrade: he started saying “drop it” without showing me the treat first. When I dropped it anyway, out came two or three treats from behind his back.

Lesson learned: trust the system. The good stuff is coming even when I can’t see it.

Why the Reward Has to Beat the Item

The course is very clear on one golden rule, and it makes sense even to me: the treat you get for dropping something must always be worth more than the thing you dropped.

As the course puts it — how would you feel if someone asked you to trade your gold ring for a plastic one? Exactly. You’d hold on tight. But offer a diamond? Now we’re talking. So when Dad asks me to drop a boring toy, kibble is fine. But if I’m holding something genuinely exciting, he’d better bring the chicken. 🍗

Why This Matters for a Dog Like Me

For a reactive dog, “drop it” isn’t just about toys. It’s about safety. If I ever grab something dangerous on a walk, a reliable “drop it” means Dad can fix it instantly — no chasing, no stress, no drama.

We’re practicing both at home and on walks, because a cue you only know in the living room isn’t really a cue at all. (We learned that lesson back in Part 1. 😄)

Two days on this one. Short sessions, morning and evening. By day two I was dropping things like a professional.

Next up: Stay. Which, for a dog with my energy levels, is going to be the real test. 🧠🐾

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Want to follow my full journey? The course we’re using is Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli — honest updates, every step of the way.

Want to see me in action? Check out my YouTube channel @spotdoglife — training clips, walks, and general Spot content. 🐾

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