Need Help Training Jaws!!

N

nbrard

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Now that Brie has settled into our home I have started to increase the training I am doing with her. She is good on the leash because she has done the dog show circuit but she doesn't have the usual obedience training. I am beginning with the basics but I have one huge problem that I need help with. She is a food hound and when I use treats as rewards she just about takes my fingers off.:eek2: Mikos has a very gentle mouth so this is completely new to me. I have tried keeping the treat in my hand until she settles a bit, or said no when she grabs hard but as soon as the treat is visible there go my fingers!! She is a really fast eater so we have put a ball in her food dish to try and slow down her eating at meal times, and we are making her sit before she gets food or treats (you have to push her bum down!). She doesn't guard her food or growl but will try to steal Mikos food if he lets her. I've never had a food hound, PLEASE HELP!!!!! (My fingers will be forever grateful!):(
 
I have the same problem here with Jasper.What I found that works with him,is keeping the treat tight in my hand,and constant reminding,to take it nice.I let him just nibble on it slowly. Sometimes I will take my index finger,and just so gently put it on his nose to remind him to take it slowly.

He has gotten alot better about it.But before he would almost take my fingers off,swallow & not even chew the treat. Where as Trapp,has such a soft mouth,and is very gentle about taking treats from my hand.
 
I would follow what Michele said above, but if she does happen to hurt your hand you have to pull your hand away and say "ouch" really loud and act like it really really hurt. Scream, cry, whatever. Shelties are very sensitive and do not want to hurt their people. If she sees that it hurts you when she grabs the food, she will hopefully stop.
 
We have two grabbers and we've also used the method Michele described, which works well for my husband but not so much for me...I don't think I do it right!

The method I use is to hold the treat on the flat of your hand, on your palm, as you would feed a horse a carrot. For some reason, a dog won't grab it this way, and it forces him to take it more gently with his lips or front teeth. This is also how I have children give the dogs treats just to be sure they won't get nipped.
 
Thank you very much for the help, we are trying your suggestions and having a bit of success, it will take time!:biggrin2:
 
decrease value of your treats to something boring that your pup MIGHT eat but not really excited about. then start mixing it up, give boring treat then good one, never predictable. In the meantime give high value treats for really good behavior on your open hand or teach them to catch it.
 
Ann said:
We have two grabbers and we've also used the method Michele described, which works well for my husband but not so much for me...I don't think I do it right!

The method I use is to hold the treat on the flat of your hand, on your palm, as you would feed a horse a carrot. For some reason, a dog won't grab it this way, and it forces him to take it more gently with his lips or front teeth. This is also how I have children give the dogs treats just to be sure they won't get nipped.
Click to expand...

these work with prince and i would add that if i bend down at more eye level (old & fat means something like eye level) he does not lunge at the treat ie:my hand. this has produced great results for us...
tommy
 
Annie did that once and nipped me. I said in a loud, horrified and shocked voice, "Annie Laurie! :eek2: How could you? We do NOT snap at food in this house!"

She was mortified. Never did it again.
 
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