Pets
Taking Treats Gently
When using treats in training, your puppy must learn to take the treat gently, without grabbing, biting and incessantly nibbling at the treat. Your puppy must learn to have a soft mouth and be in control of his mouth when he is offered food from the hand.
Place a treat in your fist and let the puppy smell your fist. Present your fist with the treat in front of your puppy's nose. If he starts to bite and mouth at the treat and/or your fingers tell him "ouch!" and freeze your hand movement with your fist closed. When he removes his mouth, say "take it" and allow him to take the treat from your flat open palm. Offer another treat. Once your puppy doesn't touch your hand with his teeth, say "take it" and allow your puppy to take the treat. Continue to repeat the same procedure until your puppy doesn't touch your hand with his mouth. As soon as he refrains, say "take it" and give him the treat. Repeat this several times a day. He will not get his treat when he uses his teeth. Gradually make the treat more and more visible but never say "take it" if he uses his teeth. He must learn that he will not receive the treat from you unless he inhibits his mouth. Do this exercise every time he receives a hand held food from your hand in a gentle manner.
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PETsMART Accredited Training Instructors, in addition to their previous experience, receive a minimum of 120 hours of training in a curriculum which includes: Canine Behavior, Learning Theory ("How Dogs Learn"), Problem-Solving, Classroom Management, Equipment, Handling Skills and more. Where possible, hands-on training is completed in partnership with local shelters, using shelter dogs to demonstrate training methods, behavior assessment and handling skills. This enables us to accredit our instructors while contributing to the community, as we help to make these dogs even more adoptable.
Suzanne Hetts Ph.D. is certified as an applied animal behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., in Denver, CO.
Terry Ryan is the well-known author of training books such as The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog and The Bark Stops Here.
Pia Silvani is the Director of Pet Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J.
Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Linfield College, an Animal Behavior Therapist and the Director of Training for Animal School in Portland, OR.
Trish King is the Director of the Animal Behavior and Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, CA.
Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified applied animal behaviorist and assistant professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where she teaches veterinary students courses in Applied Ethology and the Principles of Learning.
Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.
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