Dog Community

Of dogs treats and forks.....

Posted : 11/11/2006 11:22:07 PM

OK, Jack has a little treat taking problem. If you are not careful he will take your fingertips as well. We have been told to put the treats on a fork and give them to him that way. Well, he actually takes the entire fork into his mouth with no yelping. I asked my puppy class trainer and he said to use a bigger fork. Then I was told by another lab owner NOT to do that, as he could be seriously injured.

Should we do the fork thing? If not, what else can we do?

t__m

Posted : 11/12/2006 12:22:25 AM

I don't think I would use a fork...
When we taught Talus to take treats we just kept saying "Gentle" until he was gentle and took the treat nicely...

whatsh0uldmyl0ginbe?

Posted : 11/12/2006 12:26:19 AM

I just put the treat in a fist until she was gentle and then I gave it to her..

corvus

Posted : 11/12/2006 1:59:52 AM

I did the same things already mentioned. Penny often forgets to be gentle and well-mannered about taking treats, but if you remind her by pulling it back and saying "gentle" if she tries to snatch, she remembers and is much more careful.

Roxie865

Posted : 11/12/2006 4:28:36 AM

Yikes! A fork? I'd be afraid Roxie would hurt herself. Anyone that told me to use a fork would not be asked for any advice again.

Roxie was also "nippy" with treats at first, but I just began "pushing" them in her open mouth. I didn't shove them, but I'd nudge them in quickly and come away unscathed. Not sure if it'll help you, but she's not "nippy" anymore.

mondayblues

Posted : 11/12/2006 5:20:31 AM

I wouldn't use a fork either. A spoon would be safer, but it's still not safe if your dog is the type to stick the whole thing into his mouth. I would teach "Gentle" or offer the food from the palm and not from the fingertips.

glenmar

Posted : 11/12/2006 7:20:21 AM

I don't offer treats in my fingers...only in the palm of my hand. And if someone is too agressive in taking their treat, I tell them "gently" and can close that hand faster than they can move in for the snatch. I wouldn't use a fork either.

Mookies Mom

Posted : 11/12/2006 2:32:15 PM

If I remember correctly, I think that our trainer would have us put the dog in a sit and then use a leave it command first. If the dog went to grab the treat he'd have us quickly but gently move the hand towards the dog's nose so the dog would have to move his head back slightly. Then we'd offer threat with the easy or gentle command.

I'd look for another trainer, that fork thing is ridiculous and dangerous for your dog. IMO.

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/13/2006 9:38:47 AM

Meagan's advice works. Put the food in your fist, and let him mouth away (wear a garden glove if you have to). As soon as he backs away from your hand (this could take a while), say "Easy" as you open your hand. He gets the treat, from the palm of your hand, for backing off. Soon he will learn that "Easy" means not to touch you for the treat.
For class, think about freezing a bit of lamb baby food into a tupperware container. His reward will be a lap of the food, not a chomp on your hand. You can also use squeeze cheese or peanut butter. And, get a new trainer LOL.

DeAnna Haase

Posted : 11/13/2006 11:52:43 AM

Then we'd offer threat with the easy or gentle command.

I had a good giggle over this typo =)

I also would not use the fork..though I understand the point of it..pun intended!
I keep the treat closed in my fist and wait for them to be gentle about taking it. You can put the treat between knuckles too. I have also used the push your hand into their mouth technique..it worked for that particular dog, but that wouldn't be my first approach with most dogs. Be patient and consistent, choose a word to use.."nice", "easy", "gentle"...and then practice.

bragg1120

Posted : 11/13/2006 1:03:16 PM

I also agree with making a fist first, saying 'gentle' or 'easy' and then opening your hand with the treat. FeFe would try to take fingers and all to anyone that offered a treat before saying "easy" (she got by with it because she looked so sweet & innocent lol) And on another note, we fed her with a fork before (and Gracie too) and neither of them took the whole thing into their mouths. They were gentle and waited for their turns when we used a fork... unlike when they knew we were going to hand them a treat only to have them go berserk.

Mookies Mom

Posted : 11/13/2006 1:27:15 PM

Maisey, thanks for pointing out my typo! LOL. After seeing it, I was going to edit it out but, I must admit it made me laugh. So I think I'll just go and offer my dog a threat and see what he thinks about it all.
MM

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 11/13/2006 3:18:19 PM

The dog I had before Max would take treats gently, but you always had to give him the "be gentle" reminder if it was an especially yummy treat. Max on the other hand came to us being gentle without being reminded. Apparently his mom (not me, his birth mom []) did an amazing job teaching him his bite inhibition. You can hold meat in your fingers and he'll come up and sniff, then lick it, then slurp it ever so gently out of your hand - you don't even feel teeth.

Joyce

Michelle

Posted : 11/13/2006 9:22:53 PM

Tookey has always been snippy taking treats, but would respond to the "gentle" command, but as he's getting older I think his eyesight is waning and it's harder for him to tell where the treat is, so I just drop it on the floor for him. Gracie is super gentle, she will take her front teeth and tilt her head and take a treat from my 20-month-old's hand almost in slow motion!