Objective:

Teach your dog to gently lick a treat or food on command without grabbing or snatching.

Method:

Start by holding a treat in your hand.
Let your dog sniff the treat or food, but don’t allow them to grab it immediately. Wait for them to lick the treat or food.
As soon as your dog licks the food, immediately say the command “Taste it!” in a cheerful, encouraging voice.
Mark the behavior with a clicker or a verbal cue like “Yes!” as soon as they lick the treat.
Immediately reward them with the treat and offer praise to reinforce the behavior.
Keep training sessions brief, positive, and fun to maintain your dog's interest and engagement.

Tips & Troubleshooting:

If your dog grabs the treat or food: Start with the treat in a closed hand or a container to prevent them from snatching. Only reward them when they lick the treat instead of grabbing it.
If your dog isn't interested in licking: Try using a more appealing or high-value treat like peanut butter, yogurt, or a dog-safe spread to get their attention.

Email me at kevin@pawsitivetraining.org your questions and I will help in any way that I can!

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Taste it

Pawsitive Training