Border Collies are intelligent and energetic dogs that thrive on mental and physical stimulation. They love playing with toys, but sometimes they can get overly possessive of them, making it difficult for you to retrieve the toy or object from their mouth. If you’re tired of wrestling with your Border Collie over their toys, it’s time to teach them how to let go. In this post, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of teaching your Border Collie to drop a toy or object on command, so you can enjoy playtime without any fuss.

Teaching your Border Collie to let go of a toy or object is an essential part of their training. It not only makes playtime more fun and interactive, but it also helps prevent your dog from developing unwanted behaviors such as resource guarding.

In this step-by-step guide, we will go over the different methods you can use to teach your Border Collie to drop a toy or object.

Step 1: Choose the Right Toy

Before you begin training, it’s important to choose the right toy for your Border Collie. The toy should be something that your dog enjoys playing with and is willing to give up. It should also be something that is safe for your dog to play with.

Some good options include tennis balls, rope toys, and soft plush toys. You can also use treats as a toy to teach your Border Collie to drop objects.

Step 2: Start with the Leave It Command

To teach your Border Collie to drop a toy or object, you first need to teach them the leave it command. This command is used to tell your dog to ignore something and focus on you instead.

To start, place a treat in your hand and close your fist. Hold your hand out to your dog and say leave it. Your dog may try to paw at your hand or lick it, but don’t open your hand until your dog stops trying to get the treat.

When your dog stops trying to get the treat, say yes and give them a different treat from your other hand. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands what leave it means.

Step 3: Introduce the Toy

Once your Border Collie understands the leave it command, it’s time to introduce the toy. Hold the toy out to your dog and say take it. Let your dog play with the toy for a few seconds, then say leave it and hold out a treat in your closed hand.

Your dog will likely drop the toy to try and get the treat. When they do, say yes and give them the treat from your other hand. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands that dropping the toy leads to a reward.

Teaching Your Border Collie to Let Go: A Step-by-Step Guide to Dropping Toys and Objects

Step 4: Add the Drop It Command

Once your Border Collie understands how to drop the toy for a treat, it’s time to add the drop it command. When your dog has the toy in their mouth, say drop it and hold out a treat in your closed hand.

When your dog drops the toy, say yes and give them the treat from your other hand. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands that drop it means to let go of the toy.

Step 5: Practice with Different Toys

Once your Border Collie understands how to drop one toy, it’s time to practice with different toys. This will help your dog generalize the behavior and understand that dropping any toy leads to a reward.

You can also practice dropping toys in different locations and with different distractions to help your dog learn to drop the toy in any situation.

Step 6: Reinforce the Behavior

To make sure that your Border Collie continues to drop toys and objects, it’s important to reinforce the behavior regularly. This means praising your dog and giving them treats every time they drop a toy.

You can also use the drop it command in other situations, such as when your dog has something they shouldn’t have, to reinforce the behavior.

Conclusion

Teaching your Border Collie to drop a toy or object is an essential part of their training. By using the leave it and drop it commands, you can teach your dog to let go of toys and prevent unwanted behaviors such as resource guarding.

Remember to choose the right toy, start with the leave it command, introduce the toy, add the drop it command, practice with different toys, and reinforce the behavior regularly. With patience and consistency, your Border Collie will learn to drop toys and objects on command.

Teaching your Border Collie to let go of a toy or object is an essential skill that can help prevent accidents and ensure a healthy and happy relationship between you and your furry friend. With consistent training and patience, you can master this skill and improve your pup’s behavior. Remember to always use positive reinforcement and make the training sessions fun and enjoyable for your Border Collie. In no time, your pup will be dropping toys like a pro, and you’ll have a well-behaved companion that you can enjoy spending time with. So, start practicing today and watch your Border Collie thrive!