What are the powerful reasons to ditch the dog food bowl?
That’s right, it sounds more like a movie title but ‘gone in 60 seconds’ is often what happens when you simply toss that dog food in a bowl and your hound steps in to ‘chow down’. The food bowl has even been described as one means of your dog missing out on a favourite activity… looking for food. When dogs have to work for their food it isn’t mean. It’s absolutely fabulous. It’s rewarding and fulfilling.
Canines are wired to work for food. It’s what they spend a large portion of their day doing (if it’s not delivered on a plate), foraging, sniffing, hunting. If we deliver all the food in one go that makes the rest of the day pretty ‘freed up’ so what’s he going to do in that time? He’ll find ways to occupy himself but it may not be doing something you want him to.
Because food rewards are so valuable in training, the food bowl devalues meager treats (used for training) in comparison. A food bowl left around with an ‘all day long’ supply from which the dog can ‘graze’ might be convenient however it is likely the dog sees the bowl as a much bigger resource than his owner. We want your dog to see you as a major source of good things… food, company, exercise, enjoyment and entertainment.
When a dog owner divides some high quality food into smaller portions and incorporates it into games, desired behaviours and nosework, mealtime suddenly becomes an adventure. It also reduces the chance of bloat which occasionally canines are susceptible to, especially if they are speed eaters. Some of the daily food quota can also be stuffed into kongs so your dog is rewarded for settling down while he chews on it.
Whilst some dog owners say their dog is not food motivated when it comes to training, they may mean their dog is greatly motivated by a toy reward such as a game of tug instead. What we propose is, that if your dog did not already devour a bowl of food for his dinner then you’ll find he is much more motivated around food as a training reward. It’s just that before, he didn’t have to output an ounce of effort to get it.
For anyone who does not agree, we invite you to try this, and just experience the difference feeding time makes if your dog has to work for the food. Feeding this way is especially valuable when you have a puppy.
If your dog is perfectly behaved, go ahead and feed from a food bowl, but if your furry friend still needs some occupation, stimulation or even just needs to value you a little more, consider ditching the bowl for now.
Leah & Angela OMeara
Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)