Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject: Snatching Treats-My fingers need help!!
We all know that labs are obsessed with food and Amber is no exception!!! She gets really excited about the prospect of getting some food.
When we give her treats she usually snatches it out of your hand. We have tried sort of holding the treat but cupping it in our hands and giving it to her slowly and she takes it better. We have used the word 'nicely' and when she has taken it nicely (although not too many of those occasions) we have praised her. We have held off giving the treat for a few seconds and saying 'nicely' to her and she does take it better but most of the time there is some snatching to one degree or another.
How do you teach your dog to take treats nicely? She gets so excited she seems to not be able to control herself.
I find it quite suprising that I still can't get her to take food nicely after 5 months as she has learned to do allsorts in that time and learns very quickly. Thanks in advance!!
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
Its a tricky one Kimberley. we used to hold a treat in our hand with clenched fist and whenever abbey sniffed or tried to get the treat from our hand we said 'off' we said off a few times then when she sat nicely not trying to get at the treat we would open our hand and say 'take it'
This was a lesson learnt from out dog trainer and she did start taking treats without snatching. As it makes them a little more patient !
If you hold the treat between your thumb and forefinger, then offer it to Amber saying "gently", if she goes to snatch, pull it back straight away, then try again, don`t let her have it til she takes it in the way you want her too.
If the treat is very small, try using long nose pliers or similar, saves your fingers should she snatch
I have a similar problem with Mojo. If I offer her a treat and there is no competition (ie the other two aren't nosing in) then she takes it gently, but if there is any form of competition or if she is excited, then the fingers get it . We have tried everything for the past two years, but nothing has really worked without us having to remind her, so we now just make sure that we tell her "gently" each time, as otherwise she is prone to forget her manners:roll:
I tried it with her last night. I held the treat between my fingers and said gently and when she was going to snatch I moved the treat away. So... I did it again... slowly.
The problem I think is that she gets so excited and does a whole body wiggle and her eyes are sooooo large and her tail is wagging a million miles per hour, trying to get her to concentrate seems hard.
The best I've ever been able to get out of her is when she sits and wiggles and you can tell shes trying her best to concentrate lol!!! Then she does more of a chomp than a snatch, if you know what I mean??? She still manges to get my fingers and I've also noticed she takes the treat with the side of her mouth whereas Shep will take the treat with his front teeth without touching your fingers!!???
Any ideas??? or is this just the way she is???
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
ok just been practicing on max (whos now wondering what he done to get a treat )
try holding it in a clenched fist with your thumb facing her and so she can just see it and lick it. that way shes got to use her nose to try and get it
Just practiced that with Amber, Jane and she took it nicely the only thing I got was a snotty hand!! result!!!!!!
So.... I then tried to give her the treat between finger and thumb but she still chomped at my fingers. I'll keep practicing with her and hope I can get her to take it gently.
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
Tilly is six and a half and now and again still snatches but we mainly hold the treat so she can see it between forefinger and thumb, hold it just in front of her nose saying 'leave it' untill she stops leaning forward and sits on her backside properly then i move the treat towards her mouth saying 'gentle' and it seems to work.
Hi Lucy, thanks for your suggestion.
Ok... just tried that and well I didn't do too well!!
When I said 'leave it' (she understands this command and is very good at it) it made her really excited, I have no idea why????.....it was a steady build up of excitment resulting in her jumping on top of my me to get to the treat!!!!
I think its going to take alot more practice but she has improved abit and knows what shes got to do (I think ) she just needs to learn to be patiant and that the the treat will come to her.
Any more tips would be greatly received!!!
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
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. We have tried everything for the past two years, but nothing has really worked without us having to remind her, so we now just make sure that we tell her "gently" each time, as otherwise she is prone to forget her manners:roll:
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