By Justin Jordan | Updated 17 October 2026
One of the most useful things we can teach a dog is how to leave something alone and come back to us. It might be food on the footpath, a possum moving along a fence, a bird in the garden or a snake on a walking track. Our aim is to teach a sensible choice, not frighten the dog into avoiding things.
What does ‘Leave It’ mean?
‘Leave It’ means disengage from something and pay attention to your handler. It is different from ‘Drop It’, which means release something already in your mouth. Start with safe, boring things before adding everyday distractions. Don’t practise around a real snake or encourage a dog to chase wildlife so you can test their training.
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Teaching ‘Leave It’ step by step
- Start with a closed hand. Hold a piece of ordinary food in your closed fist. The moment your dog moves away or stops investigating, mark with ‘yes’ and reward from your other hand.
- Wait for the choice. Repeat until your dog easily looks away. Then introduce the cue ‘Leave It’ just before you expect that response. Avoid repeating or shouting the cue.
- Practise with an open hand. If your dog goes for the food, simply close your hand. Open it again when your dog is ready and reward disengagement.
- Move to the floor. Place a treat where you can cover it safely, while your dog is on lead if needed. Reward turning away. Never let your dog grab unsafe practice objects.
- Change the setting gradually. Practise with different harmless objects, then around mild distractions. Keep enough distance for success.
- Add movement and a ‘this way’ cue. Reward your dog for leaving the distraction and moving with you. Practise recall separately too.
What about possums, koalas, cats, birds and other wildlife?
These training foundations are useful all year round, not just during snake season. A dog may be curious, excited or strongly motivated to chase. Even a friendly dog can frighten or injure wildlife. In particular, a koala on the ground needs strict separation from dogs, not a close-range ‘training opportunity’.
Use a lead, create plenty of distance, reward your dog for looking back at you, then calmly move away. Never chase, corner or handle wildlife. For dogs with a strong chase response, behaviour work and careful management go together. A trained ‘Leave It’ cue cannot replace supervision or a physical barrier.
For more on protecting koalas and responsible pet ownership, see the RSPCA’s information on threats to koalas.
Bird flu and leaving sick or dead birds alone
A bird on the ground can be tempting to investigate. Keep your dog on lead and prevent contact with sick or dead wildlife, even when their “Leave It” is usually reliable. Our guide to bird flu in dogs explains the Australian situation, symptoms, what to do after an exposure and why you should phone your vet before arriving.
Snake season: why ‘Leave It’ is only one part of the plan
During warmer months in Brisbane, snake inquiries increase. We regularly hear from people wanting snake aversion training. We don’t use shock collars or punishment. We work on avoidance, diversion, recall and safe management instead. Read our guide to snake aversion and humane snake avoidance training for dogs, including what to do in a suspected snakebite emergency. No dog is snake-proof.
Related everyday training
‘Leave It’ fits with impulse control, managing chasing around chickens, and introducing dogs to cats safely. Cats in the home need careful introductions and management, not just a single cue.
Leaving stones and footpath finds alone
If your dog collects stones or rubbish, practise the cue with safe objects before using it outdoors. Read our guide to dogs chewing or eating rocks for prevention and veterinary warning signs. For calmer movement between distractions, work on loose lead walking too.
Common mistakes
Don’t practise when your dog is already overexcited, repeat the cue endlessly, punish them for getting it wrong or rush straight to wildlife. Keep sessions short and give the dog plenty of chances to succeed. Rewards can vary over time, but don’t be in a hurry to remove them when distractions become harder.
Need help?
For hands-on help, explore our obedience training classes, in-home dog behaviour training or puppy pre-school. Our approach is practical and reward-based, with the safety of dogs and other animals in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Should I reward from the hand holding the item?
For this exercise, reward from your other hand. We want the dog to learn that leaving the item brings a reward from you, rather than waiting for permission to grab the thing you asked them to ignore.
What if my dog guards food or objects?
Do not reach towards guarded items, test the dog or have children practise the exercise. Ask your vet and a suitably qualified behaviour professional for individual support.
Further reading
See RSPCA Australia on reward-based training and Dogs Trust on managing chasing behaviour.
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