How to Teach a Portuguese Water Dog to Leave It
Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, eager, and highly trainable—making them excellent candidates for impulse control work. However, their energetic nature and spirited temperament mean they're prone to mouthing, jumping, and counter-surfing, especially around food and tempting objects. The "Leave It" command directly addresses these common challenges and builds the foundation for safety around hazards. This intermediate guide teaches your PWD to demonstrate impulse control in real-world scenarios using positive reinforcement. With their exceptional trainability and drive to please, PWDs thrive on consistent, engaging sessions paired with their required 75 minutes of daily exercise. Master this command, and you'll gain peace of mind around your dog's behavior with food, toys, and potential dangers.
Step-by-step
- 1
Build Foundation with High-Value Rewards
Start in a low-distraction environment with treats your PWD finds irresistible. Hold a treat in your closed fist and wait for your dog to stop pawing or mouthing your hand. The moment they pull back, mark with 'Yes!' and reward with a different, better treat from your other hand. Repeat 10–15 times per session to establish the core pattern: stepping back from the forbidden item earns an excellent reward.
- 2
Introduce the 'Leave It' Verbal Cue
Once your PWD consistently backs away from your closed fist, add the words 'Leave it' just before they naturally disengage. Immediately mark and reward their compliance. Practice this 5–6 times daily in short bursts; PWDs have high energy and learn best with frequent, brief sessions rather than long, exhausting drills.
- 3
Progress to Open-Hand and Floor Placement
Place a treat on your open palm, then transition to laying treats on the floor and covering them with your foot. Say 'Leave it' and reward generously when your dog steps away. This progression builds real-world applicability—your PWD learns to ignore dropped food, a critical safety skill given their mouthing tendency and eagerness to eat anything accessible.
- 4
Add Distraction and Duration
Gradually increase distractions: practice 'Leave it' with toys, during meals, or while you hold tempting food. Extend the duration by waiting 2–3 seconds before rewarding. PWDs are spirited and energetic, so keep sessions fun and dynamic—alternate between easy wins and slightly harder challenges to maintain engagement.
- 5
Proof the Command in Real Environments
Test 'Leave it' during walks, at the park, and during counter-level activities. Start with low-level distractions and build up. Reward heavily each time your PWD obeys in a new setting. Consistency across environments prevents your dog from thinking 'Leave it' applies only at home.
- 6
Maintain with Daily Practice and Exercise
A tired Portuguese Water Dog is a better-behaved Portuguese Water Dog. Ensure your PWD receives their recommended 75 minutes of daily exercise; lack of outlet for their high energy can trigger counter-surfing and destructive behavior, undoing training progress. Practice 'Leave it' 2–3 times per week in short 3–5 minute sessions to keep skills sharp.
Pro tips
- Schedule training sessions before your PWD's main exercise period to maximize focus and prevent the energetic spiritedness from causing hyperactivity during the lesson.
- Use 'Leave it' as part of routine impulse control—practice with toys, door openings, and play invitations, not just food, to address the breed's jumping and mouthing tendencies holistically.
- Keep sessions to 3–5 minutes and practice 2–3 times daily to match the PWD's high trainability without hitting saturation; they're smart enough to get bored quickly with repetitive drills.
Frequently asked questions
My PWD is jumping and trying to mouth my closed fist instead of stepping back. What should I do?+
This is normal for the breed's mouthing tendency. Don't reward the behavior, but don't scold—simply wait silently with your hand closed. The moment they pause or pull back even slightly, mark and reward. You're waiting for them to learn, not punishing curiosity. Patience is key with energetic dogs.
How long until my PWD reliably knows 'Leave it'?+
Portuguese Water Dogs are highly trainable (5/5), so most pick up the foundation in 7–10 days of consistent practice. Full proofing across all environments typically takes 4–6 weeks. Daily reinforcement is essential, especially during the first 2 weeks.
Should I use the same reward for 'Leave it' training every session?+
Vary your rewards to keep your PWD's spirited nature engaged. Alternate between high-value treats, toys, and play sessions. This prevents boredom and maintains their eagerness to comply, which is crucial for this intelligent, easily-bored breed.
My PWD still counter-surfs despite training. What am I missing?+
Counter-surfing is a common PWD challenge driven by high energy and mouthing impulses. Ensure your dog is getting the full 75 minutes of daily exercise—an under-exercised PWD will default to destructive behaviors. Combine physical exercise with mental stimulation and continue reinforcing 'Leave it' in high-temptation kitchen scenarios.