Snapping fingers for food

S

Simba13

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Simba has recently become really snappy when having treats. He never snaps my hands it's always other people who attend are agility/obedience classes. He has always been very gentle but now it is like he is really overly excited or he thinks the other dogs are going to get the food first. We had one incident at the weekend where a lady was giving him a treat and had it held between her thumb and pointer finger. She had more treats in the same hand. She dropped the treat on the ground but Simba could still smell the other treats and he ended up latching on to her finger instead. He held on for about 4-5 seconds.

He has a lovely temperament so I know that it was just an accident however I still felt really bad that it happened. I know that the logical thing to do is to not let people give him treats but sometimes people just give him 1 without asking me first (which I know they shouldn't do).

The fact that he never snaps my fingers and is always very gentle means that I don't no how to train him not to do it to others. Any suggestions?
 
When a dog snaps for a treat I have found that the best way to change the behavior is put the treat in the palm of your hand and close your fist around it so your fingers are not available for nipping. As long as he is pushing at your hand for the treat...he doesn't get it. The minute he stops trying to get the treat out of your fist and steps back, tell him to "sit" and as he does praise him and open your hand while you say "OK" or whatever word you have chosen as the "go ahead" word and reach your hand to him to let him take the treat from the palm of your hand. If he breaks his sit and tries to rush your hand, instantly close your fist around the treat and start over. Usually it only takes a few times for a sheltie to "get it" that if he/she rushes and nips at a hand for a treat...they come away with nothing.

Trini
 
trini said:
When a dog snaps for a treat I have found that the best way to change the behavior is put the treat in the palm of your hand and close your fist around it so your fingers are not available for nipping. As long as he is pushing at your hand for the treat...he doesn't get it. The minute he stops trying to get the treat out of your fist and steps back, tell him to "sit" and as he does praise him and open your hand while you say "OK" or whatever word you have chosen as the "go ahead" word and reach your hand to him to let him take the treat from the palm of your hand. If he breaks his sit and tries to rush your hand, instantly close your fist around the treat and start over. Usually it only takes a few times for a sheltie to "get it" that if he/she rushes and nips at a hand for a treat...they come away with nothing.

Trini
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Thanks a million for you suggestion. I will definitely work on that. My fear is that he will snap at someone he doesn't no well who doesn't no him temperament and how sweet he usually is. When I give him treats he is always really gentle and I didn't know he was snappy with others until the incident with that lady and then I was watching him at class tonight and he was snappy and jumping at everyone for treats.
 
Many people have the right bad habit that they pull there fingers away exactly the same time they give the treat and therefore many dogs end up snapping to get it.

But must other people give my dog treat ??

No, I will manage its food, and I do not want it getting a bad habit that can go beyond my grandchildren (who learn to do it right) when they are allowed to give a treat.
 
Tully lapses into snapping for treats - it has surprised a few people because they expect her to be as gentle as Deska, and generally she is a gentle little soul. I think, like Simba, it is because she thinks she is competing for food with Deska - who even in a sitting position towers over her.

To stop the snapping I say 'Tully wait' then say 'okay'. It tells her - this treat is for you so don't worry, while also getting her to show some restraint. Anyway, a while of doing this and she stops snapping. Occasionally I have to reinforce the behaviour with a wait/okay because she will start forgetting herself again.

I actually stopped allowing people in class to give my dogs treats during training. Mainly because Deska the food hound began expecting food from others and would go around begging from anyone who had better treats. Mind you, it didn't stop him sticking his snout into pockets and treat bags. Long nose, gentle touch - he could do it without anyone realising. So many people would reach for the treats and find them gone.:rolleyes2:
 
Lucky, since his sight is not good I put his treat in the palm of my hand. I also
hand him a treat at times, and in a stern voice EASY. At times he gets excited
he grabs, and darn it will hurt.

Lady, a vet tech tried to give her a treat, she turned her head and refused it.
Much to say I ONLY take treats from my human. I gave her the treat and she
ate it. What little Royal Highness she is.
 
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