Snapping

Dogs don't see well, but they smell well.  She probably smelled like ham, and he was opportunistically trying to grab a piece.
Sounds like he needs some training in how to take a higher value treat from a human's hand gently.  A good way to teach this is to tuck a piece of ham, chicken or roast beef in your fist.  Let him nudge, push, mouth or otherwise be obnoxious - your fist stays closed, and you say nothing.  When he finally gets puzzled enough to back away and take his muzzle off, then your hand opens, you say "easy" and he gets the treat.  He learns that he doesn't get anything if he is mouthy.  If he's really obnoxious, do it with leather gloves on.

I dont think he snapped at her I think he thought she was handing him a piece of food and was trying to take it.  I taught Bailey "easy"  and I hold on tight (to the food) and keep re-trying to hand her the food until she gently takes it then praise.  She always very carefully takes the food now.  Try handing him food and see if he bites your hand, if so, try to teach him to take food from your hand more gently.

ORIGINAL: loveukaykay

I dont think he snapped at her I think he thought she was handing him a piece of food and was trying to take it.  I taught Bailey "easy"  and I hold on tight (to the food) and keep re-trying to hand her the food until she gently takes it then praise.  She always very carefully takes the food now.  Try handing him food and see if he bites your hand, if so, try to teach him to take food from your hand more gently.

That's the weird thing, though.  When I give Bear treats, I have to practically place it in his mouth before he will take it.

What about regular food?  Maybe try sitting at the table with some chicken or something and see if he does it, just so you can tell if thats what he was doing or not.  I know we shouldnt be giving them food from the table anyway, but I do it.  )

That's the weird thing, though.  When I give Bear treats, I have to practically place it in his mouth before he will take it.


There's treats and then there's  PEOPLE FOOD!!!!!

These guys are right.  There are some dogs who don't care if you put your hand into their food bowl and take out some kibble, but if you try removing roast beef, they'll snap. Some will bite, and still others will be downright dangerous.  The extreme version is sometimes seen on the animal cop shows on AP, where the dog fails the food test and is considered unadoptable.  It's called "resource guarding" and while it is normal canine behavior, you need to train the dog so that the dog realizes hedoesn't have to do it with humans.
There's a great little book - "Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" by Jean Donaldson, that has a step by step program that can help you do some preventive training so that your dog, who seems to be more enthusiastic about ham than kibble, won't turn into a guarder or "snapper".