spiritdogs
Posted : 9/27/2008 8:07:07 AM
When you teach "leave it", be sure that you aren't just having the dog "leave" one food item and get nothing in return. You won't get the behavior strong enough to have a dog leave a cat that's running. The idea is to have the dog think that YOU always have something better than what they left. I teach this by tethering the dog to me, and tossing the forbidden item just out of reach. I let the dog decide to turn his head, then I cheerlead him back to me and he gets the better item. I don't pull, say his name, or anything. I just keep saying "leave it, leave it, leave it..." until he looks back at me like I'm some kind of nut, then I catch that moment to entice him, by talking to him, backing up and having the treat at the ready.
So, if the dog leaves a biscuit, you have a Charley Bear treat, he leaves the Charley Bear, you have cheese for him, he leaves cheese, you have roast beef, he leaves roast beef, you have tripe, etc., always upping the ante. When your dog leaves the forbidden item, you can cue "goooood - take it" as he gets to you for the good stuff that he *knows* you have for him.
Once a dog is confirmed in this belief that the human is the bearer of the best stuff, then it's easier to call him off a cat - and he'll forgive you for only having a kibble instead of filet of kitty. But, it takes lots of practice, and NOT allowing the dog to practice obsessing on cats.