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Pet Cookie Toss

There are several situations where it is PREFERABLE to toss a cookie to a pet instead of having the pet take the cookie from your hand. The most common situation is where the pet might be fearful or aggressive toward a specific human, and we want to manage the pet's perception to see that person as a cookie dispenser instead of a scary monster.

The most common situation is where the pet might be fearful or aggressive toward a specific human, and we want to manage the pet's perception to see that person as a cookie dispenser instead of a scary monster.

Children Cookie Toss

Many pets are afraid of children. This might be because a pet was not socialized to children when it was young, or some child might have hurt it. Young children tend to do many things that make pets nervous. They squeal, scream, run, and often are rough or move awkwardly (think monster walk).

In this case, the idea is to introduce a dog to a specific child, and after the dog is relaxed with that child, introduce another child. Cut up hot dogs into small bits big enough to toss and catch. First, practice with the dog at home. Ask for a "Sit-Stay" and toss cookies directly into the dog's mouth. Begin having the child toss cookies only after the dog has gotten pretty good at sitting and catching.

Bring a Ziploc bag of cookies outside with you. Generally, children will enjoy this game. The child will need to be calm and quite during the training session.

Your job is to protect the child, so have a Head Collar on the dog, and you stand with the dog, holding the leash very loose so the dog can move to catch the toss - but CANNOT get free from your control. The child should stand back a few feet from the dog, so there is NO chance the dog could lunge and reach the child.

With the dog in a SIT position, the child tosses a cookie in its mouth. If the dog accepts the cookie from you, but ignores the cookie from the child, it is a sign of emotional stress. Try to measure this stress. Ask the child to back up 3 steps and toss it again. This lowers the dog's stress by increasing the distance. If the cookie isn't eaten, try 3 more steps back. See if the dog will accept the cookie from your hand. If not, the dog is likely very stressed by this experience, and you should seek behavioral advice.

Guest Cookie Toss

In this situation you might have a dog or cat that is afraid of new people. With visiting guests, it is ok to allow the pet to hide in another room. However, if it is a new roommate or relative that will visit often, then it is worth the effort to teach the pet that this person is a cookie dispenser.

Plan a time when the pet has not eaten, and you have 5-10 minutes free with this person and the pet. If the pet is a cat, use a plastic portable kennel , and allow the person to drop a tasty morsel inside. Don't drop another, until the first is eaten. Move the kennel back to reduce stress enough for the pet to eat the cookie. You may need to withhold food longer before the next visit so the cookie is readily accepted.

If it is a dog, it is helpful to tether the dog to something solid, and toss cookies to it while tied. If the dog is acting friendly, then tie a long lead to the collar so you have remote control, and see if the pet will accept a tossed cookie. If so, have the cookie dispenser person toss the cookies gradually closer.

After a while the dog can be allowed to sniff the person, but that person SHOULD NOT reach for the pet, as this might be too much for this pet at this moment. People often make the mistake of thinking all dogs are the same, and don't realize that even the same dog might act differently in different situations. The best advice is to ignore the dog, and act as relaxed as possible, and if anything, offer another cookie from an open hand.

Cookies are tasty treats that your pet will eat with exuberance. The dog will need to be accustomed to wearing a Head Collar prior to this training session.

Rolan Tripp DVM, About The Author
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