How to Train Your Dog to 'Take It'

To begin, place a treat in your hand and close your hand.

Show your dog the closed hand that contains the treat. Allow your dog to sniff at your hand, but do not allow him to eat the treat yet.

If your dog knows the 'leave it' command or 'wait' command, say the command. Once your dog stops trying to get the food, either because of your command or because he simply gave up on trying to get the treat, praise him and open your hand.

While you are opening your hand, tell your dog to "take it". If your dog needs encouragement to take the food, put your open hand right under his nose, or pick up the treat with your fingers and touch the treat to front of his mouth.

When he takes the treat, praise him.

Practice having him leave the treat and take the treat. Once he will take the treat readily when told, practice this command with many different items, until he will take whatever you tell him to.

To begin, place a ball in your hand and close your hand around it.

Show your dog the ball in your hand and allow him to sniff it, but do not allow him take it.

If your dog knows the 'leave it' or 'wait', give the command. Once your dog stops trying to get the ball, either because of your command or because he simply gave up on trying to get it, praise him and open your hand.

While you are opening your hand, tell your dog to "take it". If your dog needs encouragement to take the ball, toss the ball to him, roll the ball towards him, or throw the ball a few feet away from him.

If your dog will still not take the ball and he is comfortable with having his mouth opened, then gently open your dog's mouth and place the ball inside. While the ball is inside of his mouth, praise him enthusiastically, then remove the ball and give him a treat.

Repeat having your dog leave the ball and then take the ball. Do this until he will take it every time that he is told to. If he needed the extra motivation of the treat, then repeat placing the ball into his mouth and then offering him a treat. Do this until he will take the ball into his mouth when told "take it".

Once your dog will readily take a ball into his mouth, practice this command with different items using the same process. Do this until he will readily take things when told to.

To begin, choose a toy that can be wiggled or resembles a real animal, such as a squirrel. A floppy stuffed animal or Tug of War toy should work for this.

Place the toy in your hand and show your dog the toy. Allow your dog to sniff the toy, but do not allow your dog to take the toy yet.

If your dog knows 'leave it' or 'wait', give him the command. Once your dog stops trying to get the toy, either because of your command or because he lost interest or gave up, praise him.

If your dog will not stop attempting to get the toy before you have told him to "take It", then every time that he attempts to bite the toy, place the toy behind your back until he calms back down. When he is calm again, repeat the process until he is no longer attempting to get the toy. Praise him when he stops attempting to get the toy in front of him.

Once your dog has stopped trying to get the toy out of your hand, command him to "take it" and offer him the toy. If your dog needs encouragement to take the toy then wiggle the toy along the ground excitedly, shake the toy in the air, place the toy under his nose, or toss the toy to him.

If your dog will still not take the toy, and if he is used to having his mouth opened, gently open his mouth up and place the toy inside while telling him "take it". While the toy is in his mouth, praise him enthusiastically, then remove the toy and offer him a treat. Do this until he will take the toy into his mouth when told "take it".

Once your dog will readily take the toy into his mouth, practice this command with different items using the same process. Do this until he will gladly take things when told to.