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People getting close to, touching, or trying to take away a dog's valued objects is a very common and explosive bite trigger. We can diffuse that trigger if we show dogs that when we take things away, we usually give them back, but before we do that, we usually praise the dog and reward them with tasty treats, just for letting us hold their precious object for a little while.

This concept is simple in theory but in practice, it can be quite challenging, because first, we have to convince the dog to let us borrow the valued object. That's why we start these object exchange exercises using very low-valued objects and very high valued food rewards, such as enhanced kibble, or tiny pieces of chicken, or turkey. As we proceed, we’ll gradually and progressively increase the value of the object we are asking our dog to surrender.

Start by teaching your dog “Off” and “Take It” with a piece of food in your hand. Your dog will happily take the food when instructed to do so. Once your dog understands, “Take it”, we can use that instruction to encourage your dog to take objects that your dog has no intention or desire to pick-up, play with, or protect, such as a six-inch length of plastic pipe, a wooden dumbell, or a bunch of keys. Since your dog isn’t really interested in the object, they will be only too happy to relinquish the low-valued object for a bunch of treats.

Simply say, "Thank You", hold out one hand under their muzzle to take the object and offer a handful of treats with the other hand. When your dog releases the object, catch it and then praise and offer five pieces of food. Then ask them to take the object again. Let your dog hold the object for a little while and then say, “Thank You” again. Praise and offer another five pieces of food. Repeat the process a dozen times. Your dog will quickly learn that relinquishing objects is extremely rewarding and actually a fun game.

So, let’s turn it into a real game. Toss the object and say Take it. Most dogs will run and grab the object to bring it back to you to cash in for food rewards when you say, “Thank You”. Bingo! You’ve taught your dog to retrieve! And so, repeat “Off-Fetch-Thank You” over and over with a tennis ball or Frisbee. Give your dog food rewards every time they promptly relinquish the toy. In fact, you can hand feed your dog’s entire daily allotment of kibble using this exercise.

Now you are ready to practice “Off-Take it-Thank You” with higher-valued objects that your dog enjoys holding in its jaws, such as rubber chew toys, tug toys, deer antlers, cow’s hooves, and marrow bones. If your dog is ever hesitant to release the object, lure them to drop the object they have by offering a similar but much better one.

For example, if your dog is holding a chew toy, offer a second, identical chew toy that has a few pieces of food inside. After your dog releases the empty chew toy to take the one with food, you can take the empty one and place a couple of food rewards inside. When your dog empties the other chew toy, offer this newly filled chew toy back, in exchange for the toy that is now empty.

If your dog won’t release an antler, hoof or bone, rub a little cheese on another similar item and offer that in exchange. While your dog licks off the cheese, rub a little more cheese on the object your dog gave to you. If your dog won’t let go of a tug toy, stop tugging, let go and then waggle a second tug toy to make it the more enticing one. Repeat these object exchanges over and over. Every time your dog relinquishes a valued object, praise profusely and offer a number of food rewards.

Once your dog has got the hang of it, integrate Fetch, Tug and object exchanges into your dog's daily life. If your dog is chewing on a chew toy, ask them to come, say, “Thank You” and when they release the toy, give them a few food rewards, put a few pieces of food into the toy and then return it to your dog.

It is absolutely essential that all family members play Fetch and practice “Off-Take It & Thank You” with the dog, so that your dog feels completely comfortable relinquishing any and all objects to everyone in the household.

Now let's desensitize your dog towards a food bowl, in case you ever want to feed your dog from a food bowl. Let’s play the Delinquent Waiter Routine. Prepare your dog’s dinner in a bowl on the counter and then, pick up the dog’s bowl, ask the dog to “Sit”, instruct “Off”, put the bowl on the floor and say, “Chow”. At this point, your dog will see that their bowl is actually empty. They will not be pleased. After searching their bowl your dog will probably sit and look up at you with a perplexed and pleading expression. Walk away and busy yourself. 

After a minute, walk back to your dog’s bowl, and ask, “Did you enjoy your starter?”, take away the empty bowl and return it with the next “course” — one piece of kibble in the bowl. Instruct your dog to “Sit”, instruct “Off”, put the bowl on the floor and say, “Chow”. Walk away and return after a minute. Ask your dog how it enjoyed the amuse bouche from the chef, pick up the empty bowl and this time, return with two pieces of kibble in the bowl. 

Repeat the process over and over, each time doubling the number of pieces of kibble for each course. Once you’re up to 16 pieces of kibble (spread around the bowl), say “Chow” just like you’ve been doing so far, but then ask your dog whether they would like some garnish and drop a tasty treat in the bowl — a tiny piece of chicken or steak.

Repeat this routine for three or four meals and then, sit on the floor as the dog is eating kibble and periodically drop in a tasty treat or two. Your dog will quickly learn that human hands come to give, NOT to take and your dog will happily enjoy your proximity and company at meal times.