How to Teach a Brittany to Leave It
Brittanys are bright, eager, and highly trainable—but their 5/5 energy level and strong prey drive (especially around birds) make impulse control essential. Teaching "Leave It" addresses one of their most common challenges: the explosive excitement that hijacks their recall when something captures their attention. This intermediate obedience skill is particularly valuable for Brittanys because it redirects their natural hunting instinct into a reliable, calm response. With their friendly temperament and desire to please, Brittanys respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement. Since they can become destructively bored without mental stimulation, this training doubles as enrichment. You'll need consistent 90-minute daily exercise before training sessions to channel their hyperactivity productively.
Step-by-step
- 1
Start with Low-Value Objects Indoors
Begin in a quiet, distraction-free room with toys or objects your Brittany is mildly interested in—not their favorite toy. Show the object, let them sniff it, then close your hand around it and wait. The moment they pull away or look at you, mark with 'Yes!' and immediately reward with high-value treats (chicken, cheese) away from the object. Repeat 5–10 times per session.
- 2
Introduce the Verbal Cue
Once your Brittany reliably disengages from low-value items, say 'Leave It' just before you close your hand. Practice this consistently until they associate the words with the behavior. Because Brittanys are eager to please, they'll quickly connect the cue to the reward. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) to maintain focus; their high energy means they can lose concentration if sessions drag.
- 3
Gradually Increase Object Value
Slowly progress to higher-value items: favorite toys, treats on the floor, then food-puzzle toys. Always reward heavily with something even better than what they're leaving. This is crucial for Brittanys' prey-driven nature—if the payoff isn't worth it, they'll ignore the cue. Never escalate faster than your dog can succeed; each step should be 80–90% reliable.
- 4
Practice in Multiple Environments
Train in different rooms, then the yard, then on walks. Brittanys need environmental variety to generalize skills. Start with minimal distractions and gradually add complexity: other dogs, bird sounds, moving objects. Their sensitivity means they may regress in high-stimulus settings, so be patient and return to easier contexts if needed.
- 5
Combine 'Leave It' with Recall
Once 'Leave It' is solid, practice the sequence: say 'Leave It' near a tempting object, then immediately call 'Come!' and reward enthusiastically. This is gold for Brittanys' notorious bird-chasing recall problems. The combination teaches them that abandoning distractions earns the best reward—and it channels their hyperactivity into focus.
- 6
Maintain Weekly Refresh Sessions
Brittanys are smart but can default to impulse without consistent reinforcement. Schedule 2–3 short 5-minute refresher sessions weekly, even after mastery. Incorporate real-life scenarios: dropped food at dinner, sticks on walks, or discarded food outside. Consistency prevents boredom-driven regression.
Pro tips
- Pair 'Leave It' training with a vigorous exercise session beforehand—a tired Brittany's impulse control skyrockets, making training 10x more effective and preventing destructive boredom.
- Always reward 'Leave It' compliance with something *higher-value* than what they're leaving. For food-obsessed Brittanys, this means premium treats (freeze-dried liver, chicken breast) that beat kibble and regular snacks every time.
- Use a long training line (15–30 feet) during real-world practice outdoors. This gives your Brittany freedom to make choices while letting you prevent dangerous failures around birds or hazards—critical for their strong prey drive.
Frequently asked questions
My Brittany has such high energy that they won't sit still during training. What should I do?+
Tire them out first! Ensure they get 60–90 minutes of aerobic exercise (running, fetch) before training sessions. A tired Brittany's impulse control improves dramatically, and they'll focus better. Short, frequent 5-minute sessions also work better than long ones for high-energy breeds.
My Brittany loves birds and completely ignores 'Leave It' when they see one outside. How do I address this?+
Their prey drive is hardwired, so distance is your friend. Practice 'Leave It' with stationary bird-like objects (feathers, bird toys) before graduating to real birds at a distance where your Brittany can succeed. Always keep a long line attached on walks and never rely solely on off-leash training around real prey. Patient, incremental exposure with strong rewards is key.
Should I use punishment if my Brittany breaks the 'Leave It' cue?+
No—Brittanys are sensitive and respond poorly to punishment, which can create anxiety or resentment. Instead, prevent failure by managing their environment, starting easy, and progressing slowly. If they fail, simply reset the scenario and try something easier. Positive reinforcement is far more effective for this breed's eager-to-please nature.
How long does it typically take a Brittany to master 'Leave It'?+
With their 4/5 trainability and your consistent daily practice, most Brittanys show solid obedience-level 'Leave It' in 4–6 weeks. However, mastering it reliably in high-distraction environments (outdoors, around birds) may take 2–3 months. Stay consistent, and avoid skipping sessions—their intelligence means they learn fast but also forget quickly without reinforcement.