Us Dogs Should Be Allowed to Play With Our Food

You may not believe it, but this dog rarely eats out of a bowl... My veggies yes, because they're kinda messy, but other than that, it's all about eating on the go! My mom the certified dog trainer and I just got another question sent to our Noozhawk dog behavior advice column all about a dog that developed some undesired habits - we think it's mostly due to boredom - this is another reason why enrichment can be so useful! 

I love all my fun toys that my mom the dog trainer and my dad give me. Even if my mom accidentally drops a piece of my food on the floor, I will still go after my Tricky Treat Ball first...it's more enriching for me. Since I don't get to go hunt for my own food, this is as close as I'll get. I am a predator ya know. The extra activities keep me mentally stimulated. Plus, I keep active much longer than I would if I just ate my meal out of a bowl. 

You should do this for your dog too! You can give your dog their meal while you eat yours. Then they're less likely to bother you while you eat. Of course any leftovers can be stuffed in one of those Kong toys. My mom, being the savvy trainer and creative cook she is, does this for me too. As long as it's healthy for me, she allows me to have whatever she and dad are eating. But she doesn't just give it away for free ya know - Nope, she puts it in a Kong toy, then freezes it for me to have later... You can see me playing with my food in the video that mom made. 

I wonder what mom and dad are going to have for dinner tomorrow? I wonder if I'll get any leftovers? I wonder if mom ever eats her chocolate out of one of these toys... Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Dog Play-Dates: It's only fun until someone - or dog - gets hurt

Like many of you humans, you don't necessarily like every other person you meet, right? Well, just because I'm a 10 pound mutt that knows a lot, doesn't mean I like every other dog I meet... However, with proper "first impression" dog training steps, it can be easy for me to do so.

Unlike many of you "mature" humans, us dogs don't have an underlying, pre-judgement agenda. Sure we may have learned by associations (classical conditioning) that some dogs predict certain events - even certain breeds that look alike. And, whether following events are pleasant or unpleasant, we'll bring that "baggage" of emotional history with us. However, with the right training, you can help us like whichever dog you want us to. 

My mom, who happens to be a certified dog trainer, just answered one of our Noozhawk advice column questions that had to do with this very topic. A caring dog guardian in Austin Texas was asking about what to do with her own shy dog and her neighbors exuberant (and a bit pushy) Pomeranian. Seems the Pom was "picking on" her dog every time they walked by. Whoa, been there done that! No fun... 

From this dogs point of view, I'd like to add a thing or two. A couple of dog training tips that mom has done with yours truly, and a few of my own tidbits...

• While I'm on my leash, whenever mom and I walk by another dog, I get little treat. Now, whenever I see another dog, or hear another dog bark or tags jingle, I look straight at mom for my snackie. I love when other dogs are around. 

• If I'm off leash, romping about, or if another dog should come up and want to say hi to me, mom acts like a cheerleader, praising me for being polite and a good boy, then rewards me with yummy chicken! (That's my favorite). 

• Another one of moms dog training steps is her Barking Protocol. This is the one she has her Inquisitive Canine students follow in her dog training classes, dog socials, workshops, and even with her private training clients. The Barking Protocol is simple: whenever another dog barks, your own dog gets a treat. If your own dog is barking, ask him or her to do something else, then reward them. Simple. 

Mom gave the nice lady in Austin some great dog training tips, both in our Noozhawk advice column and on her dog training tips blog. You can check them out yourself. And, if the mood strikes, you can even ask us your own question about life with your dog. 

I wonder when we're going out to look for other dogs? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.