Teaching your Boston terrier to ‘leave it’ is an essential tool for a pet parent.
Not only does this command help you keep your pup safe, but it also leads to better behavior and even helps your pup learn impulse control.
Here’s a step-by-step guide with detailed instructions on how to teach your Boston terrier to leave it.
How To Teach Your Boston Terrier The Leave It Command
Step by Step – Train Your Boston Terrier To Leave It
Step One – Introducing the Command
Start by introducing the phrase ‘leave it’, and make sure that you don’t use any other commands during the training process. You can do this by using a treat in one hand and saying, “leave it” as you show the treat to your pup.
When they look away from the treat, give them lots of praise and reward them with their favorite treat or toy. This will help them associate the phrase with positive reinforcement.
Step Two – Increase Difficulty
Once your pup has gotten the hang of looking away from the treat when you say “leave it”, start to increase the difficulty by placing treats on the ground or in front of them and repeating the same command.
If they make any attempt to take the treat (like sniffing or pawing at it), say no firmly. Again, be sure to offer lots of praise when they listen and look away from whatever it is you told them to leave alone.
Step Three – Practice Makes Perfect
Practice makes perfect! Keep practicing these steps until your pup can successfully ignore anything that you tell them to leave alone without having any temptation around (like treats). This will help ensure that they know what ‘leave it’ means even if there isn’t a reward involved. It will also help build trust between you and your pet since they’ll know that you’re looking out for their best interests at all times!
Video – Train Your Dog To Leave It
Watch this video to learn how to teach your dog to leave it.
How long will it take to teach my Boston Terrier the leave-it command?
It is going to take, on average, 12+ tries before your Boston is going to pick up on this new command.
These findings come from a poll conducted on the Boston Terrier Society’s Twitter community. With over 44+ Boston Parents responding, the majority state it takes their Boston 12+ attempts before they learn a new command.
See the poll here…I may have spelled try funny, but the information is all the same 🙂
Tips For Training Your Boston Terrier To Leave It
Here are three key tips when teaching your Boston Terrier to leave it.
1. Avoid punishment or negative reinforcement. This will only make your pup fearful and less willing to learn the command.
2. Don’t be too hard on them if they don’t get it right away. Remember, patience is key!
3. Praise them when they do well and reward them with treats or toys for their hard work.
Final Thoughts
Teaching your Boston terrier to ‘leave it’ is essential for good behavior and safety reasons. With some patience and practice, you can train your pup to understand this important command quickly and easily! With consistency—and lots of rewards—your Boston terrier will soon be obeying ‘leave it’ like a pro! Good luck!
If you want to learn more commands and tricks you can teach your Boston Terrier, be sure to visit our article, 49 Commands And Tricks You Can Teach Your Boston!