I have this thing I call a combination cue. It’s when I use two or more cues to get my dog to do what I need him to do. I use them a lot when he’s doing stationary work, like place or stay.

For example, he’s on place, and he sees something across the room—maybe the cat—that looks exciting. I can tell what he’s thinking: I should hop off this bed and go get the cat. So before he can do that, I’ll cue leave it—disengage from that cat, leave it alone. You’re still on the place.

Or maybe I have him in a stay, and he sees something in the trees that he thinks he needs to go investigate. Before he hops up, I’ll cue leave it, reminding him—let it go, you’re in a stay.

So whenever you ask your dog to do something like place or stay, and you see that they’re starting to get distracted, don’t wait for the inevitable to happen. Use your leave it cue to cut it off at the pass.