Treats/commands from strangers
 

Does your Yorkie accept treats handed to them by strangers?

Max and Teddy will not take treats from anyone outside of our family. They want the treat handed to me first. I think they are suspicious of food from other people. But bunny droppings are okay. :rolleyes:

A post on Tenacious Little Terrier's Facebook page (Mr. N, the terrier, is a member here), asked if your pet will listen to strangers, take commands from them. Max and Teddy always look to me for approval first. Does your Yorkie do that?

https://www.facebook.com/TenaciousLi...type=3&theater

Hi I don't allow my dogs to take treats from strangers.. I am afraid that there could be something in them that could hurt them. I know it sounds crazy but .. There are some crazy people out there... Better safe than sorry.

Sunnygirl, ditto!

LOL "but bunny drippings are okay" :D!! Classic. They'll freely eat poo, but hey someone offers them a store bought treat and they're all "oh WHOA! HEY! *What* are you trying to slip me, man!???" -- too funny.

Mine love food and will take it from anyone. Most people I come across have asked if it is ok first. Usually I don't allow it unless I know the person and what they are giving them since they are on a grain free diet

You are right, it's good to be cautious. I should have clarified that I didn't mean random strangers on the street. I was thinking pet stores, vets, pet-friendly restaurants, or any place where they typically give a treat to the dog.

Emma won't take treats from strangers, she looks to me first or the person has to give me the treat and then I give her the treat. Sometimes she does it to my daughter as well, that's supposed to be her best friend. :/

Does you daughter help serve Emma her meals, or do you serve all of them? That might have something to do with it. Yorkies are so funny. I'm glad my boys are reluctant to take treats, but makes me laugh that they won't take them even when I say it is okay.

@Maximo, Dog related chores, of course not! LOL I feed, bathe, she sleeps in my room and essentially Emma's my dog even though I got her for my daughter. My daughter is the buddy, so Emma gets to do everything she isn't supposed to with my daughter.

My daughter commented the other day, how come Emma's so attached to you, she'll be my friend when you're not around but soon as you're within smell distance she's ditched me.

Rachael, awww, your poor daughter! Emma sounds like Max and Teddy. The boys are attached to both of the humans in the house, but in different ways. Depends on what time of day it is and what they want: a meal or a walk, or to hide from a bath. :D

Max ditches me when my brothers visit. :rolleyes::p:D

When my Cali was in Service Dog school they taught her to not take food (treat a or any food) from anyone but me (and only from the left hand as well, but that is another story). I understand other Service Dog Schools also teach that.

I think it is strictly about the safety of the pup :D
I would be devistated if some kook fed my dog poison or some other dreadful thing.

Callie will not take any treats from strangers but right now Joey will lol.

When I go to the drive in bank with Ruger he just about jumps into the drawer that comes out cause he KNOWS treats are going to be there.
The only other place I will let him have them is at PetSmart, from the cashier.

My dogs will take treats from strangers. Back when my big and wee dogs were pups I had to decide which way to go. Many folks with guard and protect dogs train them not to take treats. I decided not to go that way. I knew I did not want to officially train them in those practices. So that wasn't an issue. I train in diligently the drop and leave it commands for all the pups. This btw is a safety issue - if I drop over from heat exhaustion - or we are in a car accident my big dogs - will settle a bit when treats are offered. They also will obey basic commands from strangers. And that has saved Magic and me at least twice - when once he got out of the backyard cause sis left gate open and once when during a funeral when folks kept leaving doors open when entering and exiting. Two different neighbours saw him sightseeing off lead and called him back and he came...

Usually I am always with treats when I travel/walk with my dogs - and if someone wants to treat them I hand over the treat I have on hand. At vets offices once I know what the treat is I might allow the dog that treat.

I know the argument is slightly skewed when we look at toy dogs. But I do not feel the risk is very high where I live with dog napping. More risk from the idiots who place poisoned treats / water etc in parks where dogs frequent.

LOL, Ruger and the bank drawer. :D Max and Teddy were the same way, so I learned not to go through the first lane at the bank. We go to the ones with the tubes.