Okay, I get this, part because I've been in a training class where something similar was done and partially because of something I learned and witnessed come together at a herding clinic I was at last weekend.
Chris said:
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Encouraging the dog to do something "bad" (try to get the treat), in order to teach something good (Off!) seems like the dog is learning a game of "Let me test you to see if you'll give me the treat by nudging and licking your hand."
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Another way to look at it is you are giving the dog the freedom to think and make correct choices. I'll admit this is not an exercise I might have expected to find in a first class; to me having a better foundation of "watch" and wait might have helped. The nudging with the fist - well, it certainly isn't going to lead to a sock in the jaw as some are "fearing." I'm with Chris in not quite getting how this is going to teach "off" as in not jumping up on people, but maybe time will tell.
In the class I did, we sat on the floor in front of our dogs (they were in a sit) with lots of treats and played "take it/leave it". Hand open, treat on palm - if the dog was told take it - they got the treat immediately, if the dog was told to leave it, it was supposed to wait until the take it command was given. If the dog didn't leave it, then the treat would be closed up in the fist and some nudging might be needed. This was also an exercise where the dogs were taught to take treats gently from a hand.
It will be interesting to hear how following classes go.
Debbie