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How to Get Your Dog to Take Treats Gently

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Teaching Your Dog to Take Treats Gently

How to Train a Dog to Take Treats Gently
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Ouch! If your dog takes treats from your fingers roughly, you know the feeling. Before punishing dogs for this behavior, understand that dogs haven’t read an etiquette guide teaching them proper manners around food. When dogs see a treat they like, they take it vigorously until they’re taught to take treats nicely. Try these dog training tips to teach your dog to take treats gently.

Polite Manners Please

We love holding small pieces of food between our fingers. It’s a natural behavior used when handing another person something small or eating finger foods. However, some dogs don’t understand how to remove food held between two fingers. They either snap at your fingers or place their mouth over your fingers and remove the treat with their tongue. Either way, it can be painful or scary. Hence, the importance of teaching your dog to take treats gently.

Put Out an Open Hand

In the beginning, place dog treats on your open flat palm. If you’ve fed horses treats before, it’s the same technique. An open palm creates a flat surface that keeps fingers out of the way and minimizes nibbles and bites. Plus, most dogs will use their tongues to grab a treat from your open palm instead of their teeth. By feeding large or small treats from your hand, your dog is learning to slow down and take treats gently.

By using the open hand technique, you’ll notice your dog taking his time to remove a treat from your hand. While holding your palm upwards, cup your hand slightly and offer your dog a treat. Slowly cup your upturned hand further, so your dog learns to softly search and grasp the treat in your hand.

Also, when guests come over and want to offer your dog a treat, always advise them to use the open hand technique. It reduces the chances of your dog’s teeth pinching their fingers, as some guests are easily overwhelmed when a dog rushes forward for treats.

RELATED: Healthy Dog Treats

Feed the Floor

When dogs get excited or stressed, they’re more likely to painfully snatch treats from hands and fingers. During dog training classes, I can spot dog owners who have the “pinched treat finger” grimace from across the room. Dogs taking treats roughly is quite common in class. Their dogs are probably super excited.

My advice is to feed the floor instead of handing each treat to your dog or placing a treat in your dog’s mouth. By feeding the floor, you’re tossing earned treats within two to three feet of your dog’s paws, so he must pick up the treat from the floor instead of your hand.

Use a Spoon

Yes, your dog can easily learn to take treats from a spoon. When teaching loose leash walking, most dogs snatch treats roughly, as you’re probably moving quickly with lots of verbal praise and happiness. Instead of feeding the floor, which can cause your dog to run after a bouncing treat, try placing peanut butter in a spoon and offering a lick as a reward. For larger dogs, fill a plastic or wooden spatula with Swiss cheese and offer a lick or two in place of a treat.

Most dogs learn to take treats gently, so use these dog training tips as needed. Remember, dogs get really excited during dog training, so you may need to give your dog treats with a flat palm, feed the floor or fill a spoon when needed.

Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Body Handling

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Body Handling Tips

How to Teach a Dog Body Handling
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Body handling is easily one of the most important behaviors to teach your puppy or adult dog. Dogs are not programmed to understand that humans looking into their ears, mouth and body is normal. Human handling frightens most dogs. Just like children, dogs need to be taught that body handling is rewarding.

Body Handling Goals

When touching or restraining your dog, you’re using the least amount of pressure possible. Basically, you’re not holding your dog’s head still. Rather, your dog is choosing to hold her head still while your hand rests on it. From another perspective, think about retraining zoo animals. There’s no way a human can restrain an elephant, but teaching an elephant to allow restraint is much easier than forcing him.

How to Teach Your Dog to Like Body Handling

You’ll need lots of super yummy treats, so don’t skimp here. Remember, dog training treats are your dog’s paycheck. You’ll also need some type of reward marker, so use a clicker or mark the behavior by saying “yes.”

Point and Click

In the beginning, click or say “yes,” as you’re reaching for your dog and then reward. Usually, when someone reaches toward his dog, this is a trigger that causes most dogs to shrink backwards away from pet owners. Start by pointing at your dog and, if she remains still, click and treat. Now, progress moving your pointed hand in small increments until you’re able to touch her side with your index finger. Once you’re able to touch her, click or say “yes” the moment your finger touches her. Then, draw your hand back and give her a treat.

Goal: Your dog remains still while you reach toward and touch her.

Touch Longer

Once your dog is comfortable with you reaching for her, meaning she will remain still and even walk toward you, it’s time to touch her longer. In the beginning, you quickly touched her and then immediately removed your hand away. Now, you’ll reach out and touch her, but hold the “touch” for a second. After five or six repetitions, end the practice session.

Goal: Reach out and touch your dog for 1-2 seconds.

Hand Touch

Now, you’ll reach out and touch your dog with your hand. As you place your open-palmed hand on your dog’s side, click or say “yes,” remove your hand, and give her a treat. After a few repetitions, end the practice session.

Goal: Reach out and touch your dog with your flat hand.

Restrain and Reward

Retraining means holding your hand against your dog, which prevents her from moving sideways. For some reason, we force our dogs to accept restraint, especially at the vet’s office or during nail trims. Trust me, it’s easier to teach a dog to enjoy restraint as a rewarding experience than force your dog to comply with it.

When teaching body restraint, move slowly and apply the least amount of pressure possible. Never force the issue. Soon, and with lots of practice, you can teach your dog to say “ah,” easily hold your dog’s leg for blood withdrawals, stand still while the vet examines her and so forth.

WATCH: Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Body Handling


It’s much easier to teach your dog to enjoy body handling than force her to comply–much easier.

Grooming Hairless Dog Breeds

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Grooming Tips for Hairless Dog Breeds

Hairless Dog Breeds
Bigandt_Photography/iStock

While dreams of fur-free furniture and clothing make you smile, there are a few things you need to know about sharing your home with a hairless dog. Some of these tips just might shock you!

Hairless Dogs Still Cause Allergies

Yes, hairless dogs still have dander (skin cells), so they can certainly still cause allergies. Hairless dog breeds shed skin cells just like humans. For some reason, we attribute allergies to dog hair, but it’s really dog dander that causes an allergic reaction. Don’t be fooled by marketing ploys from dog breeders either.

RELATED: Help! My Family Member is Allergic to Dogs

Grooming Hairless Dog Breeds

Sunscreen Please

Bare skin exposed to sun for even 15 minutes can burn, which is why it’s recommended to apply hypoallergenic sunscreen to hairless spots when taking your dog outdoors. A good rule of thumb is if you need sunscreen, then your hairless dog does too. Don’t forget to reapply, as specified per your chosen sunscreen’s directions. While we tend to assume exposed pink skin will burn quicker than dark-pigmented skin, it’s still important to protect all exposed skin regardless of color.

Bathe Often

Hairless dogs need to be bathed with an oatmeal-based shampoo at least monthly. You’ll probably notice an oily film building up after a couple of weeks. Now, bathing your dog too much can cause skin irritation. Plus, harsh shampoos can dry out their skin. If your hairless dog has spots of fur, brush these areas often to minimize tangles and mats, and bathe him frequently.

Keep Mosquitoes Away

Exposed skin attracts mosquitoes. Hairless dogs don’t have a layer of hair protecting their skin like most dogs. If you live in a mosquito prone area, choose pest control products that deter mosquitoes too. Personally, we’ve had great luck with natural products, such as cedar oil for our dogs. However, if mosquitoes are still pestering your hairless dog, contact your vet for topical or digestible pest control products to keep mosquitoes away.

Keep Your Hairless Dog Warm

Just like us, hairless dogs need a warm coat or jacket to protect them from the cold. It’s important that coats and jackets fit properly, so check out these tips on choosing and sizing dog sweaters. If it’s cold outside, put a sweater on your hairless dog even if it’s just for a quick potty break. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, then it’s too cold for your hairless dog.

READ NEXT: Teach Your Dog to Wear a Sweater

Help! My Family Member is Allergic to Dogs

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Dog Allergies: Relief for the Family Member Allergic to Dogs

Dog Allergies
Wavebreakmedia/Deposit Photos

Believe it or not, being allergic to dogs is a common reason dogs are dumped at animal shelters. Having allergies myself, I completely understand your commitment to your family member suffering from allergies. However, you made a commitment to your dog before you brought him inside your home. Fortunately, rehoming your dog isn’t the only option you have if someone in your family is allergic to dogs. Below, we discuss ways to keep your family member’s allergies at bay and your dog at home.

How to Keep Pet Allergens Under Control

Many years ago, doctors and immunologists recommended tossing a family dog outdoors or rehoming him, but that’s outdated advice now. Many immunologists have learned that pet allergies can easily be maintained while keeping an allergic family member symptom free.

Bathe Your Dog Frequently

Allergies are caused by pet dander. Your dog’s hair has nothing to do with it. Now, dander can get caught in your dog’s fur, but it’s shedding skin that causes allergic reactions in people.

With that said, bathe your dog weekly with a gentle moisturizing shampoo (here’s my favorite brand). Using a gentle shampoo will ensure your dog’s skin doesn’t dry out due to frequent baths, as most dogs are bathed monthly. When bathing, rinse and rinse your dog again. Shampoo will help lift pet dander off your dog’s skin and coat, but rinsing (and rinsing again) will remove dander out of your dog’s coat.

Keep Your Dog’s Coat Short

Not only is bathing a short-haired dog easier, but it’s also easier to rinse off dander caught on your dog’s fur. If your dog normally has longer hair, trim about an inch off or ask a dog groomer to trim it for you. This way, brushing your dog’s coat weekly is much more manageable. Shorter hair also minimizes the amount of molds and pollens brought inside by your dog.

Just a reminder: there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. It’s a myth. Check out the real deal here.

Clean Often

With any type of allergies, keeping a clean living space is always a given tip. If someone is allergic to dog dander, she is most likely allergic to mold, dust mites, pollen and so forth. Keep symptoms manageable by vacuuming daily and keeping surfaces free from allergens.

Personally, we removed all the carpet from our home and my allergies have never been better. With carpet, I had frequent asthma flare-ups, which were well controlled by medications. Once the carpet was removed, I weaned myself off several medications because I no longer needed them. And yes, I am allergic to dog dander. 🙂

Purchase a HEPA Filter

HEPA filters are worth every penny. I highly recommend investing in at least two units. Place one in the allergic person’s bedroom and the other in a frequented common room, such as a den or living room.

Filter size depends on square footage, so choose carefully. We purchased two Austin Air filters that work well. They keep dust particles to a minimum, which means less dusting on my part. Austin Air filters are supposed to be changed every three years, but we open the unit yearly and vacuum the front filter surface. Before freaking out at the cost of this filter, let’s do a bit of math first. It’ll cost $260 per year to keep allergens to a minimum in your home, which translates to $22 per month. It’s an investment in the beginning, but it works!

It is possible for your allergic family member to remain symptom-free around your dog. I do it every day. 🙂

The Truth About Dog-Friendly Hotels

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Dog-Friendly Hotels Are Not So Friendly

Dog-Friendly Hotels
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We travel with our dogs a lot–sometimes monthly. Finding a truly dog-friendly hotel that allows our two dogs, especially our Rottweiler, is next to impossible at times. Let’s chat about the truth behind hotels advertising themselves as dog-friendly. Unfortunately, so-called dog-friendly hotels are not that friendly, but I’ve found some easy tips that may help you out.

Small Dogs Only is Subjective

Every time I see this statement, I swear my heartbeat increases to dangerous levels. Once, I assumed (never assume) “small dogs only” meant dogs weighing less than 25 pounds were allowed at a hotel. I casually checked in, signed all paperwork and headed to the car to grab my luggage and dog. As I walked through the lobby with my suitcase and a very friendly Miniature Bull Terrier (that weighs 24 pounds), someone came out from behind the desk screaming. It seems they only allowed dogs under 10 lbs. However, their check-in paperwork and online details never mentioned a weight restriction. Needless to say, Stella and I were forced to leave and drove another two hours until I found a true dog-friendly hotel. That incident still makes me angry.

If no weight restriction is listed, call the front desk before reserving a room with a specific hotel. Note the person’s name you spoke with as well as date and time of the call if this person says the hotel allows “small dogs” more than 10 lbs. This method isn’t foolproof though. The property manager can still refuse your reservation.

Dog Breed Restrictions Vary

Oh, this one makes me beyond angry. Now, don’t assume a hotel is discriminating against certain breeds, such as American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers and Dobermans. Each property manager decides which breeds he finds dangerous and adds them to his list. One time, someone with a very friendly Dalmatian was refused due to breed restrictions. We all know breed discrimination is ridiculous. Don’t give these hotels your hard-earned money. There are better hotels, trust me.

All Dogs Allowed…With a Cost

While this statement sounds glorious, especially if you share your home with large dogs, it’s usually not exactly what it seems. Hotels claiming all “dogs are welcome” charge outrageous pet fees, which can easily average $100-$250 per night during your stay.

When I questioned the front desk about large dog pet fees, they happily explain these funds are spent on steam cleaning and sanitizing the room after you leave. OK, my dogs are clean and potty trained, so I’m not entirely sure why this excessive cleaning needs to happen. When I further ask about their rates, most hotels claim it keeps allergens down for dog-sensitive guests. Whatever!

What Should You Do?

A Truly Dog-Friendly Hotel

From my experience, there’s only one hotel chain that is truly dog-friendly and that’s La Quinta hotels. Keep in mind many of their hotels are old and run-down, and it can be a bit scary staying overnight in a creepy room because you have nowhere else to go. Thankfully, many La Quinta hotels are in the process of remodeling their properties, so you feel safe.

Don’t get me wrong, La Quinta still charges a pet fee, but it’s usually $25 for your entire stay. This $25 pet fee covers two dogs too, but always check their website or call ahead for the limit on dogs per rooms.

Be Responsible, It Helps All Pet Owners

While staying at dog-friendly hotels, make sure your dog remains quiet (no barking or whining) and keep her on leash when outside of your room. Bring large sheets and cover the hotel bed to keep dog hair to a minimum. Basically, please be a responsible dog owner. 🙂 And always pick up after your dog. This means poop too!

READ NEXT: 4 Tips for Traveling With Dogs

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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