Tunsafun
06-17-2006, 07:15 AM
Hi all,
I just thought that I would post this as I have been asked a few times how I get my dogs to take food gently out of my hands.
I teach my dog to touch before he gets his food. It stops you from having to count your fingers when you give your dog a treat.
I trained all of mine by simply touching there nose and saying 'touch', and then instantly giving them a treat. If you do this every time before they get a treat, after a little while they will automatically touch your hand before food is given.
I also teach my dogs wait before eating. This can also stop them from eating something that they shouldn't.
I get my dogs to sit before i place their food down, and tell them to wait. they are to stay sitting until i say 'okay' or 'eat'. (depending on the dog depends on what cue i use). I also make sure that i can take my dog away from his food or stop him eating on command (this can be handy for dogs inclined to pick up food anywhere they go).
After they have gotten the 'wait' down pat, i put a lead on them, let them start eating and then say 'wait'. when i give the command, i put a little pressure on the lead and call them back to me. after a bit, they soon figure out that when you say 'wait', even without the lead on, they will stop eating and sit.
a word of caution, try not to say 'wait' if your dog is eating little bits of dry food. i did this with boffa and he spat them out all over the floor. and the funny thing is, i didn't say wait to him, it was my daughter who wanted a drink lol
just a couple of tips for anyone interested.
regards
tunsafun
ps. i have been training dogs for quite a few years, so if you are after some advice, feel free to pm me and hopefully i can help you.
I just thought that I would post this as I have been asked a few times how I get my dogs to take food gently out of my hands.
I teach my dog to touch before he gets his food. It stops you from having to count your fingers when you give your dog a treat.
I trained all of mine by simply touching there nose and saying 'touch', and then instantly giving them a treat. If you do this every time before they get a treat, after a little while they will automatically touch your hand before food is given.
I also teach my dogs wait before eating. This can also stop them from eating something that they shouldn't.
I get my dogs to sit before i place their food down, and tell them to wait. they are to stay sitting until i say 'okay' or 'eat'. (depending on the dog depends on what cue i use). I also make sure that i can take my dog away from his food or stop him eating on command (this can be handy for dogs inclined to pick up food anywhere they go).
After they have gotten the 'wait' down pat, i put a lead on them, let them start eating and then say 'wait'. when i give the command, i put a little pressure on the lead and call them back to me. after a bit, they soon figure out that when you say 'wait', even without the lead on, they will stop eating and sit.
a word of caution, try not to say 'wait' if your dog is eating little bits of dry food. i did this with boffa and he spat them out all over the floor. and the funny thing is, i didn't say wait to him, it was my daughter who wanted a drink lol
just a couple of tips for anyone interested.
regards
tunsafun
ps. i have been training dogs for quite a few years, so if you are after some advice, feel free to pm me and hopefully i can help you.