There is a process to training. The key is to get your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) to perform the action and at that exact moment you give the command for the action, then praise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) and reward with a treat. After a while, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) will associate the action with the command.

Train Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Puppy/Dog) to Leave-It

First we need to build the behavior, then we'll attach our verbal "Leave It" cue and finally we'll then generalize the behavior.

In a familiar environment to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog), free from any distractions (other people or animals) sit down in front of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog). In one hand place an ordinary "Leave It" treat (some kibble or other plain dry treat) in the other hand place your Cavalier KIng Charles Spaniel's (puppy's/dog's) very favorite "jackpot" treat (liver, hotdog, cheese etc.). With the ordinary "Leave It" treat resting on your open palm, extend your hand out towards your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog). Don't say anything. When your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) reaches forward to gulp down the treat, quickly close your hand - don't let him get it. If he withdraws his interest, immediately say "Yes" (click) and give the jackpot treat from your other hand. Alternatively, if he is really persistent and determined to get at the kibble treat in your closed fist, just hold it out of his reach and ignore him.

Do it again. This time if he doesn't dive straight in after the "Leave It" treat, enthusiastically say "Yes"(click), give the jackpot treat from your other hand and give him a loving scratch behind the ear. If he goes for the ordinary "Leave It" treat straight away, close your fingers over it again. He will probably look up at you in a quizzical, puzzled manner - which is good. As soon as his attention is off the treat say "Yes" (click) give the jackpot treat from your other hand and praise his good work.

Repeat many times (repetition and consistency are two of the vital keys to successful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) training). Pretty soon your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) will catch on that if he doesn't go for the boring old "Leave It" treat he will be rewarded with a monster "jackpot" treat from the other hand.

Now your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) understands the basic behavior it's time to attach your verbal "Leave It" cue. This is so we can request the behavior whenever the need arises. Continue practicing exactly as you have been except you now say "Leave It" just as you begin to extend your hand (the one with the ordinary treat) towards the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog). This step builds an association in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's (puppy's/dog's) mind between you saying "Leave It" and the act of him leaving an object alone.

Now you've got the behavior and you've got it on cue it's time to add some other variables. This step generalizes and proofs the leave it command so we can rely on it in any circumstance. One at a time introduce the new elements listed below - don't move too quickly for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog), take it slowly.