How To Teach Releasing An Object
Once your dog is picking up and holding objects in their mouth, you are ready for the release. You must teach picking up an object before you can teach releasing an object.
Two Toy Game
The best way to introduce new skills is in play. The Two Toy Game is designed teach do several things. The "Go", the "Take It", the "Bring" and the "Drop It" commands. For this exercise you need two toys of equal value. Generally two identical toys are best.
- Holding both toys, get your dogs attention and throw one of the toys to your side. your dog should run out and pick up the toy.
- As your dog starts to run back to you, show him the other toy. As soon as your dog drops his toy, throw the toy in the opposite direction.
- Your dog should run out and pick up the second toy and begin to run back to you. while he is running to get the toy, reach down and pick up the first toy.
- As dog dog returns with the second toy, show him the first toy. He should drop the second toy. as soon as he does throw the first toy in the oppostite direction.
Repeat untill he is running back and forth exchanging each toy in the process. As your dog is performing each skill you can start to get the word association involved. While your dog is perform the act, call the command name and say good when it is completed. For instance while your dog is droping the toy say "Drop It", once complete say "Good". you can do this for any of the four commands as well.