“Drop it” can be a lifesaving command that animal trainer Mikkel Becker ranks as one of the top behaviors every dog needs to know.

Training “drop it” can help save a dog from swallowing or choking on an off-limits or dangerous item he picks up. Rather than trying to pry the item from your dog’s mouth, “drop it” teaches your canine to willingly let go of the forbidden object. This training encourages cooperation, rather than possessiveness, when you need to take something away from your dog — and helps make the situation safer for everyone involved, including your dog. Check out Mikkel’s advice for teaching this command in the video below.

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