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But what is it that I see some of the HANDLERS putting in their mouths sporadically?

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I'm afraid what you see the handlers putting in their mouths is the same thing that they are feeding the dog. It's called bait, and showing the dog the treat to get its attention is called baiting. Usually it's liver in some form or another, but bait can really be anything that the dog enjoys. (I've used shrimp, cheese, bread, chicken, and on one desperate occasion, fried calamari.) Since the handlers need the free use of their hands most of the time while showing, the most convenient place to keep the bait when not being used is in the mouth. Some handlers keep their bait in pockets or on their armband. Keeping it in the mouth ensures that it can easily be reached, won't fall out while you're running around the ring, and it also teaches the dog to watch your face. If you'll notice a lot of handlers who have their dogs in a perfect free stack aren't holding bait where anyone can see it - but the dogs are watching their faces, because they know where it's coming from. I've even seen some handlers spit the bait straight from their mouths to the dog's. I was pretty grossed out by baiting at first, especially since I'm a vegetarian, but it's just another part of showing that you get used to. My German Shepherds are very responsive to bait, so I usually let them chew on it a little bit then I take it away and stick it back in my mouth. It horrifies my mother and my friends that I put something in my mouth that has formerly been in a dog's mouth, but I let them kiss me on my mouth, so I don't much see the difference.

Hope that answers your question.

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