How to teach your dog the commands “Give” and “Take”

Some owners have difficulty in teaching the dog to give on command a toy or a thing you need, but not at all useful for the dog, which the pet accidentally grabbed. How to teach a dog the “Take” and “Give” commands?

Victoria Stilwell’s 7 Tips for Teaching Your Dog the Take and Give Commands

1. Engage the dog in the game, say “Give” and let him grab the toy.
2. Let your dog play with the toy for a while.
3. Take another toy that is equally valuable to the dog (better if it is exactly the same toy).
4. Draw your dog’s attention to the toy in your hand, making it more interesting for your four-legged friend.
5. When the dog releases the first toy from its teeth, say “Give” and praise the pet.
6. Say “Take” and let the second toy be grabbed.
7. Continue to play like this for a while, “exchanging” a motionless toy in the dog’s mouth for a “live” toy in your hands. Each time the dog releases a toy from its mouth, say “Give”, and when it grabs the one in your hands – “Take”.

Soon the dog will learn that it is beneficial for him to release what is there from his mouth on the command “Give” – ​​because this means that you have something more attractive for him!

Remember that this is a game, not a confrontation. You do not need to scold the dog or put pressure on it. Play with your pet! Then the dog will not perceive the “Give” command as a risk of losing something valuable. Don’t worry if it takes a while for your four-legged friend to part with the object in his mouth at first – over time, the reaction to the “Give” command will be more and more rapid.

This game is also a good prevention of such a behavioral problem as resource protection. The pet understands that sharing is great and profitable!

You can learn more about how to educate and train dogs in a humane way by using our video courses.