It is always fun to give your dog a treat. Whether it is meant as a reward for training or you just feel like you want to provide them with one, giving them a treat will bring joy to their faces and yours. However, as simple as a task giving a treat is, there is a way to mess it up.
Most of us may not be aware that there is a wrong way to give our dog a treat. While you may not have meant to do it, you must change this habit soon into the proper way as it could have negative consequences for you and your dog.
The Wrong Way
Most of the time, many of us would give a treat to our dogs by holding it high up in the air. Not only is it cute to see them jump for it, but we also have been conditioned to believe that this is the right way to do so.
While they may be adorable, begging for the treat and jumping for it, holding it up high is not the right way. By holding the treat up in the air, you put your hand at risk for dog biting. Sure, your dog can be the sweetest dog on the planet, but the accident may be unintended because they are jumping and biting for the treat.
Regardless of how much you know your dog will not bite you, it is never a good scenario once they do. A vigorous dog bite could result in stitches and the need for injections.
Additionally, aside from biting, your dog jumping could also harm them. They may get too excited and jump higher than they should be. A high jump could result in back, leg, or other bodily problems for your furry friend.
The Right Way
The correct way to give your dog a treat is to give it to them within their reach. There are two ways you can do this.
The first way to do this is to give it at eye or chest level. You can put the treat in your hand or between your fingers and slowly give it to them. Placing it between your fingers could still put you at risk for biting, especially if they are excited. What you can do is place the treat flat on your palm and offer it to them to prevent your fingers from getting in the way.
You can also train your dog to accept a treat gently from your hand. To do this, just place the treat in your hand and offer your closed fist. Let your dog sniff it and allow them to calm down first. Once they are more gentle with sniffing your fit, slowly open it. You can even insert a command such as “gently” or “slowly.”
The second correct way to offer a treat is to put it on the floor. You can teach your dog to “sit” and “stay” as you place the treat on the floor near them. The idea is just to let them reach for it without jumping.
Conclusion
It’s a fact—all of our dogs are the best dogs and deserve treats. Just make sure that you are giving it to them the right way. By giving them a treat properly, not only will they be more well-behaved, but it also prevents accidents from happening.
Do you need some help with dog training? The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre will be glad to help you. We offer training classes for your furry friend along with other services like grooming, boarding, and more—all in a family-owned 7,000 square-foot facility in Brandon, Manitoba. Contact us today to get the high standards that you expect and your pet deserves.
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