What is the best way to hand out treats?
Train your dog to take treats gently from hands. If your dog is a “grabber” he might inadvertently nip you. For “grabbers” close the treat in your fist, covering it completely, back of the hand upward, and then put your fisted hand in front of the dog’s nose and let him smell that you have a treat. If he tries to grab, “NO!” in a firm tone, but do not draw your hand back. Wait until he is quiet and no longer attempting to grab and then, very slowly, turn your fisted hand over so the back of the hand is facing down. Keep your fist closed. Allow him to sniff, but if there is any attempt to grab, “NO!” – and do not open your fingers until he is quiet and no longer attempting to grab (sniffing is okay). Then slowly, slowly, slowly open your fingers. Typically dogs will then gently take the treat. “Good Boy!” You will need to do this quite a few times with “grabbers”, but they will eventually learn not to grab. The very worst thing you can do with “grabbers” is to show them a treat and hold
Train your dog to take treats gently from hands. If your dog is a “grabber” he might inadvertently nip you. For “grabbers” close the treat in your fist, covering it completely, back of the hand upward, and then put your fisted hand in front of the dog’s nose and let him smell that you have a treat. If he tries to grab, “EASY!”** in a firm tone, but do not draw your hand back. Wait until he is quiet and no longer attempting to grab and then, very slowly, turn your fisted hand over so the back of the hand is facing down. Keep your fist closed. Allow him to sniff, but if there is any attempt to grab, “EASY!”** – and do not open your fingers until he is quiet and no longer attempting to grab (sniffing is okay). Then slowly, slowly, slowly open your fingers. Typically dogs will then gently take the treat. “Good Boy!” You will need to do this quite a few times with “grabbers”, but they will eventually learn not to grab. ** Use the word “EASY” instead of “NO.” “EASY” means that the action you
