Don't let your doggy eat his treat if he does this one thing. It's a major faux-PAW!
If you share your life with one or more canine companions, you know that giving your dog a treat can be both a blessing and a curse.
But if your dog tends to rip treats from your hands so enthusiastically that you cry out in fear or pain, it can really put a damper on the treat-giving experience, leaving both you and your furry friend feeling a little confused and upset.
If your dog is a treat-grabbing-finger-nipper, take heart. There are things you can do to successfully curb the behavior. In the meantime, to protect your digits and your nerves, just drop the treat on the floor in front of him.
Alternatively, you can offer soft treats (for example, a bit of organic yogurt or soft cheese) at the end of a spoon.
Three Ground Rules for Training Your Dog on Gentle Treat-Taking
The first thing you must do to re-train your dog to take treats gently is commit that once training begins, snapping at your hand = no treat. No exceptions!The second thing you'll need to do is set aside time to work on gentle treat-taking in training sessions separate from all others.
The third thing you must do is to refuse to give up in frustration! Most dogs require repeated consistent reinforcement in the art of gentle treat-taking.
Gentle Treat-Taking Training Steps
Make sure to feed your dog about 30 minutes before treat-taking lessons. A hungry dog will be much less compliant than a dog with a full tummy.
Get in the habit of offering treats at the level of your dog's face – just under his mouth or at chest level – instead of over his head.
Continue offering treats this way, and resist the urge to drop the treat or let him have it while he's snapping at your hand.
You want him to get the message that snapping and using his teeth no longer work, and that a gentle lick, sniff, or nudge is the new behavior he must display to get treats.
Take Care Not to Treat Your Dog to Too Many Treats
Dog treats, even very healthy ones, should not make up more than 15 percent of your pet's daily food intake, and ideally less than 10 percent. Try to limit them to training and behavior rewards, as a bedtime ritual, or as a “time to get in your crate” enticement.Treats should be offered primarily as rewards during house training, obedience training, or other similar activities, and not because the rest of the family is having a snack.
Overfeeding treats on top of daily food intake will result in an obese pet, and overfeeding treats while underfeeding balanced meals will result in nutritional deficiencies.
It's pretty simple to help your doggy learn some manners if you are patient. Treats should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your pooch and it should not become a situation that gets out of hand.
For more information on stopping this bad doggy behavior and replacing it with positive behaviors, visit Healthy Pets.
