Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know any way that you can get your dog to take food from your hand nicely? My EBT is only a pup at 5months old, but really snatches things when giving him food and almost takes my hand off any ideas?!!?

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Debbie

Make sure you are not feeding him from above.  Offer the food from nose height or just below.

Make your hand into a fist so he can't get the treat on first attempt unless you feel he has gone for it gently.  I would put a 'gently' command in too.  If he hasn't gone for it gently, take your hand away and try again.

I do that, but my hand fits in Will's mouth.... sometimes I can no longer see the treat or my hand if he's feeling really peckish

lol chloe, you have just put a smile on my face :-D I love danes, they are so gorgeous!

Hi Debbie,
What we did to teach our Lab was to ask her to sit first and then ask her to take it nicely. I then offer the treat but if she tries to snatch it, take it back and ask her again to take it nicely. After a few goes she then she takes it gently. That's the best way that worked for us. you might want to keep the treat tightly in your palm if he bites too hard.
Hope you find a solution
Emma+May

I teach the command 'gently' by using little tiny bits of cheese or hot dog that are hidden in my hand. I'm assuming your dog won't actually bite your hand here :D  I keep the treat hidden if the dog tries to snap or grab it but if it licks my hand and noses gently then the treat is released (of course I'm saying the command all the time here). Now if they're all siting round me and I'm handing out liver or similar a 'gently' is enough to make them stop grabbing.

sorry Mayvis - was typing at the same time :)

That's alright, great minds think alike!

The best thing to do is just not to let this work.  If you feel your dog's teeth, instantly pull your hand away WITHOUT giving the dog the food. 

Dogs do what works - if it works, meaning that your dog successfully gets food off you when he is rough, then he will do this again and again, because it's a successful technique.  Instead, if you never let him have the food when he is rough, he will learn not to be rough....

I'm hardhearted, I'm afraid and work on the principle that, at the first signs of food not being taken nicely it is withdrawn! I won't tolerate dogs trying to take hands off in order to grab treats and have always worked on a two stage process of expecting a sit and then expecting the treat to be taken slowly and nicely. It doesn't take the average dog very long to work out the benefits of good manners!

I would advise to make you pup sit and then offer the treat in the palm with the thumb crossed over the titbit so that it cannot be snatched easily and then say Nicely (or words to that effect)
It's hard to grab a treat in such a position as you offer and when the treat is taken nicely then praise lots
Works for my greedy lot anyway

Thanks for all yor replys!

I will try this with him and see how i get on.

Thanks x