Leave it. Drop it. Shoot—which one? In this video I break down a super common mistake I see all the time: people using “leave it” and “drop it” interchangeably, and accidentally making both cues weaker. Here’s the harsh truth: if you’re not clear about what you’re asking for, your dog can’t possibly be clear about how to respond. And when we’re talking about cues that can literally be life-saving, clarity matters. I explain the simple, force-free way I define each cue so your dog gets one clear meaning every time. “Leave it” is preventative—it means “don’t go for that thing you’re interested in,” and it’s basically asking for inaction. “Drop it” is corrective—it means “let go of whatever is in your mouth,” and it’s asking for a specific action. My easy rule to remember: if it’s on the ground, say “leave it.” If it’s in their mouth, say “drop it.” Train and use them properly, and you’ll have faster, more reliable responses when it counts.