Understand the command. The “take” is used whenever you want the dog to take something you offer into his mouth.
Give your dog a toy to play with. Give him the verbal command “take” as you do so. As he takes the toy in his mouth, reward him for the behavior with praise. (Plus, he gets to play with the toy!)
Transition to less rewarding objects. It’s easy for a dog to learn “take” when the object is so much fun! When he’s mastered the connection between command and behavior, move on to boring objects. Examples might include newspapers, light bags, or anything else you might want him to carry.
Pair “take” training with “drop it” training. Once he takes the toy, use the command “drop it” to have the dog release the toy back to you. Give him a treat and praise when he releases the toy, then start again with “take.” You don’t want the dog to think that the fun stops every time he releases the toy.
- Do not get into a tugging match with the dog. When you tug, the dog tugs back harder.