COME, SIT, STAY Canine Etiquette

03/20/2025

IS YOUR DOG STUBBORN OR NOT?? Stubbornness is more a human trait/concept than a dog trait/concept. Consider that for the most part, when a child or adult has a stubborn streak...that is basically a "choice" by the human. The thing is it is contradictory for a dog to "choose" to be stubborn (not comply).

Dogs are part of our pack (or out on their own, then a dog/dog pack). There is always a pack leader or whatever term you want to apply. The dogs instinctually know it is essential to remain in the "good graces" of your pack leader. Consequently, it doesn't compute that a dog would "choose" to ignore or disobey.

When your dog has always been in tune with you due to your relationship, pack dynamic & they suddenly are NOT reacting or complying with normal things...this is not a choice. There IS a "reason". No matter how irrational their behavior is at that moment in time, you must recognize that it IS "their reality" at that moment in time!!! It could be health or possibly on a walk, the dog senses a snake or other danger & refuses to move forward. If the dog has been playing or investigating their environment in their yard or on a walk, their body systems are being stimulated. Then, when it is time to come into the house, the dog refuses or slow walks it...goes into the yard & does their business & comes into the house. Of course, there should always be a "reward". I mean, to leave all that fun just to go inside where things are more sedate (aka boring)...we need to make it worth it to them.

So, when they comply...the reward (treat or tossing their favorite ball, etc, etc) WILL be expected!!! If you happen to forget the "reward", say phone rang or whatever...you will feel their eyes boring into you. Often times, sitting by the treat or toy area...LOL...

Here is an absolutely excellent article regarding the stubborn discussion.

Dogs that don't listen or obey are called stubborn dogs, but there are often simpler reasons for their behavior such as confusion or distractions.

03/18/2025

DOES YOUR DOG WAKE IN "ATTACK MODE" WHEN ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED/NUDGED (by you or another dog) WHEN SLEEPING IN THE BED WITH YOU?? When I say "attack mode, that could mean they wake growling, snarling, lunging, or literally snapping/biting at you or the other dog. There are many things that can account for why this is happening in a specific dog that is beyond what training or behavior modification can resolve. For these instances, I came up with something that has allowed many wonderful, loving & loved dogs to continue to sleep with their owners.

[NOTE: It is very common for our aging/senior dogs to start having sleep variances which can exhibit with some aspect of what I am addressing. Additionally, dogs (any age) who are having a medical, health issue can also become more reactive in certain circumstances.]

Get a "bumper sides" dog bed for the dog & train your dog to sleep in the bed. By a bumper sides bed, I mean the dog beds with raised sides as opposed to a flat dog bed. The raised sides prevent you or another dog from accidentally making physical contact with the dog.

To train your dog to sleep in "their bed" ON the bed, I recommend placing a piece of your worn clothing (like a worn t-shirt turned inside out) in their bed or you could rub a towel or whatever against your body (so it is heavily scented). Select the place for the bed. Then, do several training sessions during the day where you call the dog up on the bed & coax (using a treat) them into "their new bed" & reward (treat & praise). Call them off the full bed & then back up & repeat. Do a couple of repetitions for each little training session. Use a specific command like bed or place.

Do this process off & on for a couple of days & that should be enough to help the dog learn this is their new bed & their place to sleep. Certainly each night coax your dog up & into their bed. It shouldn't take long before the dog will not only acclimate to this new place, but will also realize it keeps them safe & comfortable.

BTW, if you have any dog that you just want them to sleep with you, but one specific place on the bed...you train that the same way. You would place a towel or mat or flat dog bed wherever you desire & train it the same way I have discussed here.

NOTE: When contacted with any undesirable/unacceptable bed sleeping behavior, I do always make sure that there is NOT a basic behavior issue involved that needs to be addressed. [NOTE: There can be a health issue or aging issue that can also benefit from the Bumper Bed approach I have discussed.]

03/11/2025

EVER WANT TO JUST REACH OVER, TOWARD YOUR DOG'S HEAD AREA & THEY BOB OR MOVE THEIR FACE/MOUTH TOWARD YOUR HAND?? This may not be a big deal to some. Personally, I like to reach out to my dog & not have that reaction. But it is super common. Think about when someone goes to pet/greet your dog & they put their hand over the top of the dog & the dog follows that hand with their head/muzzle/mouth & sometimes "snapping at the air" toward the hand in motion.

There is no intent to bite, nothing incorrect about the way the dogs react to anything, including our hand moving toward them. This is especially true when a hand is moves "over the top" of the dog's head. Here is my suggestion...put the back side of one of your hands in front of the dog's muzzle. The dog's head/muzzle will hone/focus in on that hand...while you move the other hand to pet them or do whatever. Maybe you just need to hold their head still while you check on something or apply topical flea stuff. Regardless, this really, really works! Give it a try.

This will also work for some dogs who tend to always roll over when you move your hands toward them & this can make it difficult to pick the dog up or even just pet or "check" their sides or back. Using this technique does help with some of these auto-rollover dogs.

YOUR SENIOR DOGS will have a reaction like this, especially when their "eyesight" is diminishing. This is different to the other things I have described. Senior dogs can become reactive or highly reactive when anything moves toward their face because of the eyesight issue, including actually snapping toward whatever is approaching their head/face area. Another example is when you reach to snap a leash onto their harness. The FOCUS approach can really help to offset this reactiveness.

Additionally, when dogs need medication in their ears or eyes...after a time they can resist wanting that done to them. You can't blame them for that reaction at all. Kids react the same way in this situation. However, they need the medication! So, we need to help it be less stressful for them & US. When we are doing anything, the dogs are reactive to...I never get upset with them & we always have a HUGE celebration & special treats when the deed is done!!! This is also very helpful for the dogs in these situations!!!

[Never "call" your dog to you when you are going to do something unpleasant. Rather you want to go to them. The reason is we need our dogs to ALWAYS "come" when called. If there are repetitive instance when the dog really dislikes x, y, or z...and, we CALL them to us...before long the dog will hesitate or not come in ANY situation because they will be "suspicious", expecting the worst anytime we call them.]

Depending on the situation...you might want to use a treat in your "focus" hand to increase their focus level. But, for regular situations...the back of your hand as the focal point will work. (www.thedogspeaks.com)

02/16/2025

WHITE NOISE MACHINES CAN HELP YOUR DOG IN NUMEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES...In circumstances when your dog experiences stress/anxiety this is a proven way to help your dog. I used white noise way back when I was doing "hypnosis" for people to help them in similar circumstances. This is before I even considered it for the dogs. The white noise would help the person be more susceptible to the hypnosis process. Quite a few years ago, I started using it for the dogs. This is an excellent article (AKC) that explains what & why this is very useful for the dogs. BTW, the machines now come with various calming, soothing noises/sounds selections.

I really believe this article will give you another tool to help your dogs in many different circumstances. As a side note, I have slept with a white noise machine going all night, for years. It helped with my sleeping difficulties. Once they first came out with white noise "machines", they were plug ins. The last many years, you can get them using batteries. When those came out...I would travel with one for ME & MY DOGS in hotel rooms!!! Truly, this is an excellent article. I hope everyone will read it. Here is the link:

White noise machines emit a constant, ambient sound meant to soothe anxious dogs. They're best used in combination with other training methods.

02/03/2025

HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF DOMESTICATION OF DOGS WITH HUMANS HAS RESULTED IN THEM DEVELOPING A "MUSCLE" OVER THEIR EYES THAT ALLOWS THE DOGS TO MIMIC OUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS!! Many months ago, I read an article about this. However, I didn't save the article at the time. Today, I got in another article that addresses this very topic. I think everyone will be very intrigued by this information.

I have known for many years that the dogs are very adept at "mimicking" our actions & expressions. But, when I read the first article & now this one...it was so amazing that the dogs have actually "developed" a special muscle over their eyes that allows for a lot of their facial expressions. This actually now passes through their DNA!!

This article was in TEAM K-9:
Do you know why your dog's gaze can melt your heart instantly? The secret lies in a fascinating evolutionary adaptation that's uniquely canine – their eyebrows! Today, we're exploring how these expressive features have revolutionized the way dogs communicate with humans, making them not just pets, but irreplaceable family members who understand us on an emotional level.

A Muscle That Changed Everything
In a groundbreaking study, researchers discovered that dogs possess a specialized muscle called the levator anguli oculi medialis – a feature absent in their wolf ancestors. This tiny muscle, which evolved over thousands of years of domestication, allows dogs to create those irresistible "puppy dog eyes" by raising their inner eyebrows. The implications are extraordinary: dogs who could better communicate with humans through facial expressions were more likely to be selected for breeding and care, leading to the development of this unique evolutionary advantage. Even more fascinating, this muscle development varies among breeds, with some showing stronger expressions than others.

The ability to make these expressions isn't just cute – it's crucial for modern dog-human relationships. Dogs use this muscle up to five times more frequently when humans are present, suggesting a deliberate attempt at communication. This discovery helps explain why we feel such a deep connection when spending time with our dogs, whether we're out for a walk or relaxing together at home.

The Science of Emotional Manipulation (In the Best Way!)
Your dog's eyebrow movements trigger the same nurturing response in humans that we experience when looking at infant faces. This isn't coincidental – it's an evolved mechanism that helps dogs form deeper bonds with their human families. When dogs raise their inner eyebrows, they're actually making their eyes appear larger and more infant-like, triggering an unconscious caregiving response in humans.

This manipulation is so effective that studies show people are significantly more likely to adopt dogs from shelters who make this expression frequently. Understanding this communication is crucial – when your dog raises their eyebrows while making eye contact, they're actively trying to engage with you emotionally. Missing these signals can lead to missed opportunities for bonding and potential misunderstandings in your relationship.

The Language of Eyebrows: A Communication Guide
Your dog's eyebrow movements form part of a sophisticated emotional language. Rapid eyebrow movement often indicates excitement or anticipation, while sustained raised eyebrows typically signal focused attention or emotional connection. Understanding these subtle differences can transform your relationship with your dog.

This communication becomes particularly important during training sessions. When your dog maintains eye contact with raised eyebrows, they're showing peak engagement – the perfect moment for teaching new commands. However, if you consistently miss these signals, your dog might become less expressive over time, potentially affecting your bond and training effectiveness.

Building Stronger Bonds Through Understanding
The discovery of dogs' unique eyebrow muscles has revolutionary implications for training and bonding. When you respond to your dog's eyebrow movements with positive attention, you're reinforcing their natural communication instincts.
The key is consistency: regular eye contact sessions with your dog can strengthen your bond dramatically. Set aside dedicated time each day for face-to-face interaction. Watch for their eyebrow movements and respond with gentle praise or affection. This practice not only enhances your emotional connection but also helps your dog feel more secure and understood in your relationship.

Fascinating Fact of the Day!
Research shows that dogs' eyebrow-raising behavior increased by an astounding 500% when humans were present versus when they were alone! Even more intriguingly, domestic dogs raise their eyebrows significantly more than wolves, even when raised by humans from puppyhood. This suggests that this trait isn't just learned behavior – it's hardwired into our dogs' DNA through generations of evolution alongside humans.

01/27/2025

ARE YOUR DOGS SENSITIVE TO YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE...YES!!! This supports what I have said for years: "While we know people can have a 6th sense...I believe the dogs have a 7th, 8th, & 9th sense. The dogs often know we are stressed or having anxiety before we are even consciously aware of it!!" You will find this info very interesting & intriguing. The next time your dog becomes a "Velcro dog" or keeps pestering you for attention...consider what truly may be occurring!!

From TEAM K-9: The emotional connection between humans and dogs is nothing short of remarkable. Scientists have discovered that our dogs can detect subtle changes in our emotional state that even other humans might miss. Today, we're diving into how your emotional state profoundly impacts your dog's behavior and well-being, and what this means for your relationship with your four-legged friend.

1. The Science Behind Emotional Contagion
Your emotional state has a direct, scientifically-proven impact on your dog's stress levels and behavior patterns. When you experience anxiety or stress, your body releases cortisol - a stress hormone that dogs can actually smell. This chemical signal, combined with subtle changes in your body language and voice tone, creates what behaviorists call "emotional contagion."

Studies at the University of Vienna have shown that dogs experiencing second-hand stress from their owners exhibit increased heart rates, elevated cortisol levels, and various stress behaviors like excessive licking, pacing, or hiding. The consequences of chronic stress transmission can lead to long-term behavioral issues, including separation anxiety and defensive aggression.

2. The Neurological Dance of Joy and Play
When you're genuinely happy and excited, your dog's brain experiences a fascinating cascade of positive neurochemical changes. Research from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Parma reveals that dogs exposed to positive human emotions show increased levels of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and dopamine (the reward chemical).

This neurological synchronization explains why dogs learn new commands up to 40% faster when training sessions are filled with genuine enthusiasm and positive energy. The key is to create regular opportunities for joyful interaction - whether it's through training games or interactive play. These positive experiences strengthen your bond and create lasting behavioral improvements.

3. The Critical Role of Emotional Consistency
Dogs thrive on predictable emotional environments, and inconsistency can lead to significant behavioral challenges. A groundbreaking study from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine found that dogs living with emotionally unpredictable owners were three times more likely to develop anxiety-related behaviors and five times more likely to exhibit resource guarding. Creating stable routines and consistent emotional responses is crucial for your dog's mental health.

4. Emotional Leadership in Challenging Situations
Your role as an emotional leader becomes particularly crucial during potentially stressful situations like car rides, vet visits, or encounters with new environments. Dogs look to their humans as emotional reference points - a phenomenon known as "social referencing."

Research shows that 87% of dogs will mirror their owner's emotional response to novel situations. When you maintain calm confidence during challenging moments, your dog is significantly more likely to adapt positively to new experiences.

Fascinating Fact of the Day
A recent study in Scientific Reports revealed that dogs possess specialized brain regions dedicated to processing human emotions through facial expressions and voice tones. These neural pathways are remarkably similar to those humans use to process emotional information, suggesting our dogs understand us on a level previously thought impossible. In fact, dogs can detect human emotions with higher accuracy than some artificial intelligence systems! This evolutionary adaptation underscores the importance of managing our own emotional states for our dogs' well-being.

01/22/2025

WHY DO DOGS BARK?? Below are two links. One is a link to an excellent article by the AKC. The second link is to MY Chapter from my E-Book that provides a lot of additional explanations of a dog's barking behaviors. The information in both of these will explain aspects of dogs' barking behaviors. One thing I strongly believe in is that we need to understand the "what & the why" of any behavior in order to properly & EFFECTIVELY deal with the behaviors. Please read BOTH!!

The AKC article link:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-do-dogs-bark-at-each-other/?sc_src=email_907931&sc_lid=54010252&sc_uid=FVrtsk8BLw&sc_llid=266479&sc_eh=71b611fe3003f8ac1&utm_campaign=20240529-nibble-general-liberty-mutual&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_term=READ+MORE+%C2%BB

The link to the BARKING Chapter from my E-Book:
https://www.thedogspeaks.com/artbarking.htm

01/10/2025

EYE GUNK...a.k.a. EYE BOOGERS!!!! Do your dogs have gunk that builds up in the inside corner of one or both eyes?? Initially, it is a build up of the tear moisture. But, it does dry up...even as more tears are being secreted which will cause more of the dried gink to build up. There are several reasons your dog will have excessive tearing. For example, seasonal allergies (just like we have), foreign substance or object, DRY EYE (which I will address in detail in a later post), eye injury (think corneal abrasion, think painful), infected tear duct/s, blocked tear duct/s, etc.

Regardless of the reason, when your dog has dried eye gunk (a.k.a. eye boogers), you really MUST clear it DAILY!!! The more dried gunk that builds up, the more discomfort you cause your dog when you clear it. This is why I say you must clear it daily. Sometimes, you will find the dried gunk every morning. If so, you need to make it part of your morning ritual to just pull the dried gunk off.

If your dog just has a thickish wet area, use a kleenix or cotton pad to remove that thickish wetness because it will turn into the dried gunk. The "salt" type nature of a dog's tears (similar to ours) is a skin irritant. When the dried gunk is allowed to build up, when you do try to clear it...you will most often find the skin underneath is extremely irritated, inflamed. There may be an open sore & often pus or blood.

This would occur even when the reason for the excessive tearing is as simple as the seasonal allergies. Please make clearing the eye boogers a part of your daily regimen. You should also pay attention because if there can be something more significant occurring than seasonal allergies. DO NOT IGNORE eye gunk (eye boogers) because excessive "tearing" always has a reason!! (www.thedogspeaks.com)

01/09/2025

CAUTION!!! COLD WEATHER/HOT WEATHER...PUPPY THERMOSTATS & SENIOR DOGS THERMOSTATS!!! A pup's body thermostat is not fully developed & does not work efficiently. This means a pup cannot handle temperature extremes (cold & hot)! Senior dogs' body thermostats...as a dog ages, their body thermostat does not work efficiently. This means our "seniors" are very susceptible to temperature extremes (cold & hot)!!

This means we must take extra precautions with pups & seniors in cold weather & hot weather!! With Winter temps, please extra precautions to keep your pups & seniors SAFE! Make sure they are not outside too long in cold temps. This is even more of a concern when there is snow &/or rain.

Just as with a very small child, our pups & seniors can become compromised in situations & temps we would not normally expect to be an issue.

I beseech you...please do not take this warning/caution lightly. (www.thedogspeaks.com)

01/01/2025

May we all have a very blessed 2025!!!!

12/25/2024

MAY WE ALL HAVE A VERY "BLESSED" CHRISTMAS!!! God Bless you & yours on this very special day. May we all remember the "reason for the season"!! God Bless our service men, women, Military & Service dogs, & our first responder K-9s, our Wounded Warriors, those who are away from their families, & first responders all over the country. God Bless America. (www.thedogspeaks.com)

12/20/2024

CAUTION: COMMON CHRISTMAS PLANTS THAT ARE "TOXIC" TO OUR DOGS!!!

12/19/2024

CAN WE PLAY, CAN WE PLAY...HUH? HUH?...NOW, CAN WE PLAY???? Do you know WHY it is an "absolute" that when we are the busiest, the most stressed, & have the least amount of "time"...that is precisely the time our dogs are the most insistent that they want to play? It isn't that they "want" to play; they NEED to play or go for a walk to release their "stress energies"!!! .

There are two reasons for why this happens: 1) When we are "stressed", our dogs sense our stress & they want to make us all better. They know playing always makes us happy! When they can't make us "all better", this stresses our dogs! 2) When we disrupt a dog's routine/schedule this stresses our dogs.

When our dogs are stressed, they NEED to release their stress. They can't hold their stress IN. It must & will come out by trying to constantly "engage/interact" with you or chewing something up or chewing on themselves. OR, it will come out via the dog vomiting or having diarrhea "caused" by their stress level! [Note: When the dogs are stressed they have to p*e & p**p more frequently. Can you see a stress snowball for the family!].

SOLUTION: Take a mere 3-5 minutes & take your dog for a "mini walk" OR "play". Do you realize 3-5 min. of engaging/interacting with your dog/s (even when you think you don’t have the time!) will make all the difference & will take less time than shooing them away or dealing with the results of your dog/s' high stress level! This absolutely WILL help you, too...whether you think so at the time or not!

May we ALL have a wonderful & safe Christmas Eve!! (www.thedogspeaks.com)

12/19/2024

I NEED TO POTTY...LIKE NOW!!!!!!! Today starts one of the busiest weeks of the year for you & your family! No matter how good care we take of our dogs the rest of the year...chances are the time will get away from us OR we will "miss" our dog/s' potty indicators. PLEASE take extra measures to insure "your mistake" doesn't force your dog to have an accident! This will upset you & it is very unfair to force your dog to do what they know not to do!! Set an alarm, a timer...something, anything to make sure you "regularly" potty your dog/s. It will take far less time & be far less stressful to do this than deal with the results if you don't!!!

Also, pay attention if your dog is more bothersome than is their norm. THAT is a good indicator that they NEED something. Don't shove them aside. Pay attention. Let them outside to potty. If you have to walk your dog, take them for a "mini-walk". That won't take as much time as it does to clean up the mess they didn't want to make in the first place! Don't count on others in the home to potty the dog/s EVEN when you ask them to. I promise that has a 50/50 chance of happening!

To be honest, the more hectic (even due to stress) the environment is (your house or visiting others), I recommend "a potty break" EVERY HOUR!!! Reduce your stress & your dog's stress...make sure no potty accidents happen!! (www.thedogspeaks.com)need to potty now!!!

12/17/2024

SNOW NOSE EXPLANATION...Here is a good explanation of "snow nose". Note there are other conditions & issues that can cause a dog to lose pigmentation on their nose. In most cases, snow nose will re-darken after the cold weather has passed. When my Golden was 4 yr., he had snow nose for the first time & then every year thereafter. Any breed can develop snow nose & some are more predisposed to it. [Note: this Q & A on snow nose was taken from my MSN homepage one day last week.] (www.thedogspeaks.com

Q: This fall, my husky's black nose turned a little pink. His skin doesn't look irritated. Should I be worried?A: Your pet probably has a temporary—and harmless—case of "winter nose," or, as it's often called, "snow nose." Sometimes, when the temperature drops, so does the output of an enzyme called tyrosinase (which catalyzes the production of melanin and other skin pigments), causing a dark nose to lighten to brown or even a speckled pink.

Siberian huskies, Bernese mountain dogs, Labrador and golden retrievers, and a few other large breeds are particularly prone to nasal depigmentation, a purely cosmetic condition that poses no medical threat. In fact, even though the American Kennel Club lists a black nose as a requirement for huskies, it allows them to compete with snow nose.

Once healed, a sunburn or wound can also turn a canine's nose lighter, but you would have noticed blistering or an abrasion long before any change in color. In rare cases, depigmentation is an early sign of vitiligo, an autoimmune disease. It couldn't hurt to pay your vet a visit to rule this out. However, taking the season into account, and absent any irritation, I don't see any cause for concern. Your pooch's black nose should return after the weather warms back up.

12/16/2024

CPR FOR OUR DOGS: Christmas Season is a prime time for issues to occur with our dogs. There is so much for the dogs to get into their mouths & possibly swallow & possibly block their breathing. There are many other things that can occur that could cause the dog to need CPR. Consequently, this is another infographic that I think everyone should print off & put it on your fridge or somewhere easily & quickly accessible. You don't want to waist a moment looking for what you need.

12/16/2024

HEIMICH MANEUVER FOR THE DOGS...During the Christmas Season, there are so many more opportunities for our dogs to swallow something they shouldn't & that can cause the dog to choke on it. I recommend printing off a chart or infographic regarding HOW TO perform the Heimlich on small dogs & large dogs. And, then post it on the Fridge or somewhere it can be easily referred to at a moment's notice. It is best to always "be prepared" for what could occur.

12/14/2024

DOES YOUR PUP/DOG LIKE A LITTLE "FLESH" WITH THEIR TREATS!!?? The Holiday Season (Thanksgiving & Christmas) is upon us. I felt this would be a great time to share my technique for giving treats. This is so easy & will help your guests/visitors of all ages!!

Years ago, I developed a way to give treats that is easy & will work with almost every dog. Every person I have shared this with are thrilled with how great it works from the first time they try it. Granted, there are exceptions to every rule...but, so far I have not found a dog it does not work for.

Even young children can do this...with parental supervision (every interaction between your dog & young child must be supervised!). Granted, the good old standby for giving treats is having the treat in your open palm. but, I like to provide people with some alternative approaches.

Some "basic" fundamentals for giving treats: Give the treat at normal mouth level or below & up close to the dog. I prefer the mouth/muzzle to be pointed downward. Give treats close enough so the dog does not have to "reach" for it. Do NOT have the dog reach up, out, or in any way that "elongates" their neck. When they stretch that neck area, it pulls at the lower jaw "muscles". The result is...AS the dog "reaches" for the treat & the jaws "close/shut" to take the treat, the jaws will "snap" shut. The dog is not choosing to do this. It is the jaw's closing mechanism when the neck is elongated. Keep this info in mind as you read the two approaches below.

Lead with your index finger or back of hand. The dogs do not want YOU, they want the treat they can smell & know it is there. Your finger or back of hand "slows" the dog's "treat fervor" as they "work" to get at/find the treat.

The "finger" approach is to hold treat between thumb & forefinger (the "F" finger...LOL!). The Index finger is pointed straight, NOW..."curl" the index finger in front of the treat.

Second approach, & possibly easier for some people, is to hold treat between thumb & 2 fingers (index & forefinger). CURL for entire hand downward or inward (toward your body).

What both of these approaches do is to provide "more of YOU" between the dog's mouth & the treat. Like I said, they do not want you, they want the treat. When there is more of you between the dog & the treat, it slows them down as they work around to get to the treat.

Note re: senior dogs: Even if your dog has always been super taking treats or had what we call a "soft mouth", when they age they will reach a time when they will often have more of a snapping action of their jaws. It is like they don't have the control over their mouth action like they did when younger. And, they can't judge the distance like when they were younger. When a dog's eyesight starts to diminish, they will know the treat is there, but they can't quite judge where the treat is in relation to their mouth. This can cause more of a snapping action of their jaws. Using the approaches I have described really helps your senior dogs.

These are so easy & really, really work!! Another tip: For your overly exuberant dogs, especially those who have been used to "grabbing" their treats, be sure to tell them "easy, settle" something verbally to get them to calm down just a tad.

Overly excited dogs have trouble containing themselves, period. For example, how many times has your overly excited dog "accidentally" knocked their food bowl out of your hand as you were setting it down?? So, I recommend just a little "verbal reminder" to settle, easy, be nice, etc. This helps your dog be able to better (albeit, not fully...LOL!) contain themselves when getting a treat (or food bowl...LOL).

Please consider sharing this post with ALL of your dog friends & family.