Free Feeding Your Dog? Don't Do It.

Free feeding means allowing your dog to eat "at his leisure".  The food bowl is always accessible.  This practice can devalue your dog's food as well as set her up to become a finicky eater.  There's another way to feed your dog that develops a healthy respect for his food and, subsequently, you as the benevolent provider!

Food is an essential resource for all of us, and a primary motivator for dogs.  An always-available food bowl becomes devalued because it is, well, always available.  Dogs don't need to pay attention to or comply with  owners, when the most critical component of survival is accessible 24/7.  Who is providing this bottomless bowl, anyway? 

Decide on a good quality kibble for your dog and have a routine.  Whether your dog is a puppy or adult, you can set feeding times, say, 7 AM and 6 PM, for an adult dog.  At feeding time, put the ration of kibble into the bowl, call your dog to you, and ask her to "sit and wait" while you place the bowl down.  Give her an "OK" release to eat.  Allow 10-15 minutes for her to finish her food.  (Set a timer to remind you, if necessary.)  If your dog walks away from the bowl, and food remains, let him see you pick up the bowl and put it in an inaccessible place.  Repeat this at the evening feeding.

If you have been practicing free feeding with your dog, you can expect him to leave food.  This could continue for several days.  Don't worry and revert back to an undesirable method!  If you persist, your dog will change.  The benefits are:  an end to finicky eating and a new respect for you and the valuable resource you provide. 

For more information on free feeding and other ways to motivate your dog, call Best Friends at 908.822.9200 and ask for Kimberly Mandel.   All behavior and training-related questions welcome.