Can your dog balance a treat on its nose?

Question

I've been trying to teach my dog this trick, however he can't stay still long enough for me to put the treat on his nose for even a millisecond. He follows my hand and moves his head back every time. And since he has no idea what I want him to do he does every other trick he knows in the process.

Does anyone have any tips?

Answer 1

My dogs cant do the trick..yet. But my old friend Buddy boy who passed away just 2 days ago could do this trick. He was a mutt dog that belonged to my friend and when I moved in there I fought to get him off the chain and in the house.. and then I taught him that trick.. at first he also moved his head too much so I scrapped teaching him the whole trick at once and began by just teaching him to let me hold his muzzle and stay still for a treat. All I did was hold his muzzle and say "wait" and gave him the treat when he held still and let me hold his muzzle, I did it again and again until he had that part down perfectly.. then I moved on to putting the treat on his nose. Teaching it in portions made it easier because he learned some self control with the treat just from learning that he would not get the treat until he held absolutely still and rested his muzzle in my hand... it made it so much easier to get to the part with the treat on the nose.. I would just say "wait, wait" while I balanced the treat and then slowly remove my hand and say "get it!" it may take a while for your dog to perfect holding still and catching the treat but be patient and make it a fun experience and he will soon catch on... by the way Buddy the dog I taught that trick was 8 years old so dont believe it when people say you cant teach an old dog new tricks because you certainly can!

PS Teach and practice the first part of the trick where you hold his muzzle for at least a few days to a week before moving on to the treat on the nose part... good luck!

Answer 2

All of my dogs over the years have learned this trick. Only my Border Collie would flip it high in the air and catch his treat. The others all drop it off their nose to eat it.

Give your dog the "sit/stay" command. He needs to master that one first. Once he has sit/stay down pat, you can move to the balancing act. Take a small treat (1/4 of a milkbone to start with) and palm it - don't come at your dog with the treat visible.

Pet your dogs muzzle and leave the treat on his snout. Give him the "okay" command and when the treat drops and he sees it, give him the "good boy" happy puppy high-pitched voice you use.

Work up to the full Milkbone (or whatever you choose to use) gradually. Have fun with it!

Answer 3

I never taught my dog to do this but as a part of obedience training I taught her the words, "leave it" One day, I went to put a treat on her nose. She went to bite it. I said leave it. She left it. I put the thing on her nose the first time without teaching her it as a separate trick.

Answer 4

My dog won't move once I put it on her nose. She just stands there and waits for me to move it. It is how I get her to stand still sometimes. It is funny.

Tricks to learn it is take it slow. Start with a sit and watch comand. Than start to give the treat. If he jumps at it take it away and start over. Than you will be able to teach it.

Answer 5

Keep your hand under his jaw and look at him to make it known to him you want him to stay. then when you want him to take it move your hand...eventually he will get the point of what you are trying to get him to do....also use positive reinforcement not negative.

Answer 6

Dont move Your Hand! And Keep it there starring at him so he knows to stay ok???

Answer 7

Nope. Mine can't. She's only 12 weeks old though... we'll get there though! I'm reading their answers to get tips for myself!!

Answer 8

i don't think there is a need to teach your dog that trick