One common problem that people get annoyed with is when dogs nip at their hands trying to get treats. The most commonly perceived solution to this is to pull your hand away from the dog and say NO. Then upon trying again, the dog repeats the same behavior. It becomes frustrating for both you and your dog as the dog tries harder and harder to get the treats and you try harder and harder not to get bit. So that when he eventually gets his mouth onto your hand, he really clamps down on that elusive treat. There’s a better way.
See: online dog training
The reason the dog is “mouthy” is because he feels that the treat is going to go away, so he’ll try harder and harder to get it. The way I solve this issue is simple; I put the treat in my hand or between my fingers and offer it to the dog. If he “pushes” to get it, I push back. Yes, I push my hand into the dog’s mouth which creates an opposition reflex in the dog and he pulls back. I immediately mark that behavior with a word, “good easy” and then release the treat. I repeat the exercise again. This time I say EASY, and watch what he does. If he nips, I again push my hand into his mouth. When he recoils, I say, GOOD EASY and release the treat. This works well with a dog who is mouthy, not a dog who has underlying aggression. You can generally determine this by watching if a dog is simply nipping at the treat and your hand compared to a dog who launches an attack at you or your hand.
The important thing is NOT to pull the treat away, since this entices the dog to pursue the treat, which leads to nipping. I’ve dealt with dogs that had a hard mouth for years and within a few short sessions as described above, the problem was solved.
