Fading the Treat

You will not carry steak forever. Once the trade is solid, start rewarding less predictably — treat every release, then every other one, then now and then. The unpredictability actually keeps the dog keener, the same way a slot machine holds a player.

Next, let life become the reward. After a drop, toss the toy again or open the door for a walk. The dog learns that letting go pays off even when no food appears, so "drop it" holds when your pockets are empty.