Following on from the "half-check" thread, we went to our reward based training class tonight. It was much more relaxed and enjoyable, so I'm very pleased.
However, having been asked to take treats, I took some Wilkinson's liver treats broken into small pieces. Unfortunately they were rather too successful with our normally laid back gentle lab. She got really over excited and was snatching them from my hand and inadvertently biting. The trainer suggested I hand feed her her normal food, and then gradually introduce more exciting titbits so that she learns to be softer mouthed. Also initially using a glove, which does make sense! Has anyone else successfully tackled this problem?
Cathy.

One of mine can be a bit over-enthusiastic taking treats! What I found works is to hold the treat in a completely closed fist, which I then offer towards her, saying "Gently" As she snuffles at my hand, trying to get the treat (which she can smell) I slowly open my hand so that she can get it. The moment she gets too eager I close my hand and say "No. Gently" and start again. It certainly seems to work well. Good luck.
:)

Sooty was snatching a lot too. We stopped it by holding a biscuit in front of her and every time she tried to snatch it we'd pull it away and say no loudly and keep doing this until we could hold it in front of her nose and she'd look sideways to try and avoid temptation then we'd tell her she was a good girl and give her it. Seems to have worked! We now have her sitting and giving us the paw before she's allowed it. You don't even have to ask her for her paw now as she knows she has to give it before she gets her reward.

In my obedience class there were alot of people who had this problem. The instructor told us to hold the treat in our fingers and stick it in the dogs mouth. Actually put it in a ways, but don't gag the dog. She said this gives the dog pause and actually makes them open their mouth. If they open their mouth and don't bite down, you give them the treat. But sometimes the dog with start nibbling on your hand and the trick is to drop the treat into their mouth when they have it open rather then closed around your hand. I used a glove, this way she didn't bite down to hard. The point is to first try and associate the dog with the fact that when their mouth is open they get the treat. Then as you offer the treat, make them hold their mouth open a little longer. You keep doing this, not letting them have the treat until they leave their mouth open and after a very short while when I offered a treat my dog would open her mouth and let me put the treat in it!

Hi Cathy,

I'm pleased to hear that your new class was enjoyable!

My method was very similar to Jeangenie's. Hold the treat in your fist, fingers pointing to the ground and back of hand pointing to the sky. Let the dog lick your hand, trying to get her tongue between your fingers to the treat. When she backs off (given enough time she will), because she can't get it, in one quick movement turn your wrist over and open your hand, offering the treat with the words "take it". If you do this a few times, she'll realise that she can't get it when your fist is closed and she'll just sit there watching for you to offer it.

When she's got the hang of the first stage, hold the treat in the fist as before, then keeping fist closed, turn your wrist over. At this point she will probably think you're offering the treat and try licking your fingers again. Wait till she backs off, then open your hand and offer the treat with "take it". Very soon she will watch your fist, whether it faces down or up and only take the treat when your hand opens and you say "take it". This exercise should make her more apprehensive about whether or not the treat is for her, and so she shouldn't snatch it. Well, that's the theory!

HTH!
Monty's Mum :)

Thanks, everyone for all your very helpful advice. I'm pleased to report that she seems to be making excellent progress thus far, at home. Putting the treat in my fist and then turning my hand over has worked extremely well, and she's been really gentle. I trust this will transfer to next week's training class. I think it might work better with her to use some of her usual dry food, so she doesn't get too excited again.
Cathy.

Delighted it's working, Cathy! Well done - nipped fingers can be very painful, even though you know it's accidental.
:)

Well we started holding food much as you would feeding a horse! However we protected our hand when holding food - by keeping knuckles facing the dog. When we fed treats we used the word 'gentle', and only released the food when the frantic licking and nibbling subsided - it didn't take long for him to suss it out. We can make him gentle on command now!