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In the final step of the "leave it" command, I'm going to show how to properly release
your dog. Not only will this teach them it's acceptable to take something that is on the
floor, I also use this particular command in how to train your dog to get the family
newspaper. To review the "leave it" command, we will bait the dog, down on one knee, lightly
hold the collar, place down the object. I'm going to hold three to five seconds. Since
in this training command I know it's okay for the dog to eat this item, let's say it's
a piece of cucumber that fell off the counter or maybe just a little leaf on a walk, I will
then release the dog with a release command of "take." I like to use the word "take,"
it's got a strong consonant sound. But you certainly, you and your family, can come up
with "good, dog," "okay" or "go." So "take" is very important with the "leave it" command,
once the dog learns its okay to eat you will say "take" to release. If you don't want him
to eat the treat, you simply continue to lightly hold, pick up the treat, praise the dog and
say, "good, leave it."