When a dog takes a food reward, if he doesn’t take it gently, it’s no fun for the person giving the food. I think we’d all agree it’s important that a do takes food gently from our hands, and most importantly, leaves our fingers intact. No toothy indentations on the palm or fingers is also a good thing. Generally speaking, if we deliver a food reward from the palm of our hand instead of with our fingers, the do is less likely to grab because he doesn’t have those stick-like targets to aim for. Taking food nicely is a behavior that should be taught as soon as possible.
When teaching this behavior, use a word that tells the dog to go easy on taking the treat. “Easy bub,” “gently,” or “slowly” are some examples. We’ll use “Easy” today. Teach “Easy” as a behavior on its own. Do not combine the treat-taking lesson with another lesson on a different behavior. Teach the dog what “easy” means and decide that you will not give up the treat for any behavior that isn’t gentle and easy on your hand.
Start with a smelly treat so your dog knows it’s there. Close your hand and let the dog sniff. Once he knows it’s in there, if he bites, paws or is rough with your hand, pull it away and say, “ouch!” Get his attention, look him the eye. If he’s looking at your hand, bring it up to eye level. Say, “Easy,” and return your hand. If he licks or sniffs your hand, say “Easy,” and open your hand to give him the treat off your palm. Praise at the same time. If he lunges at your hand or gnaws again, repeat the directions above with an “ouch!” and pull your hand away, getting his attention, say EASY until your dog reacts appropriately. Some dogs will get it quickly. The purpose is to get your dog to understand what “Easy” means when giving him a treat.
There are a variety of ways to teach this behavior. You can also spread peanut butter on your hand and do a similar approach as above, but when you open your hand, your dog will have to lick your palm not bite food off, so this is a more basic way to start training your dog to take food softly and politely. How you approach the training depends on the dog. It’s difficult to give advice without knowing who the dog is! That’s why sending your dog to board-and-train is most efficient. I learn about your dog and can gauge his enthusiasm, therefore, getting from point A to Z goes more efficiently.
For many dogs, their enthusiasm for eating outweighs their sensibilities and consideration for the human hand feeding them. These dogs may need to be reminded on a long term basis to take the treat “Easy” each time. Enthusiastic dogs are fun, and patience with them will be well worth the effort.
Until the dog understands “Easy,” you can drop the treat on the ground for the dog to pick up. But don’t rely on that as a long-term fix. Dogs must respect their human handlers and with a little work, he will understand and obide by the “Easy” cue when taking food from the human hand. Be sure, if you’re dog is an enthusiastic food grabber that you keep little hands away from his muzzle. He doesn’t mean to hurt when he grabs. He’s not thinking; he’s reacting.
To send your dog to the Love Wags A Tail board-and-train camp for motivational learning with our cast of characters, contact us with your dog training, behavior modification wish list to get started. Florida neighborhoods near me including 33317, 33314, 33324, and 33325.
Helen Verte Schwarzmann
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Certified in Training and Counseling
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