Dogs don\u2019t care about dollars or diamonds or if you have a hefty bank account or a vacation home in the Bahamas. No matter the age, size, breed or activity level, dogs are laser focused on the coveted canine currency: f-o-o-d.<\/p>\n
Use this meaty knowledge to your advantage. Engage your dog strategically with tasty treats and yummy meals to boost his brainpower, elevate his emotional mood and hone his physical shape. Oh, and make him view you as the top dog in his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true. A dog\u2019s emotions are tied to food,\u201d says Cara Armour, a certified professional dog trainer and president of Active Paws<\/a> based in Waltham, Massachusetts. \u201cWhat is good for the body can be good for the mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogster<\/em> reached out to leading professional dog trainers to discover specific ways to use food to engage your dog so he can enjoy a fuller life with you. Consider these tactics:<\/p>\n Photo: eregraff | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It may seem like your dog sports an invisible watch \u2014 especially near mealtime. However, serving meals the minute you get up and, say, 5 p.m. sharp every day can actually cause distress and anxiety in your dog if you run late serving his meal. Maureen Patin, head trainer and co-founder of What A Great Dog training center<\/a> in Frisco and Richardson, Texas, recommends not being a clock watcher.<\/p>\n \u201cResist feeding your dog the minute you wake up because you may motivate your dog to wake you up earlier,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cWait 30 to 45 minutes after you get up so your dog does not associate you getting out of bed with instant feeding. As for dinner, feed your dog within a range of one to two hours. Mixing up mealtime will reduce the anxiety in your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Or use visual blocking barriers like putting each food bowl on the floor on opposite sides of the kitchen island to keep your dogs from seeing one another as they eat.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will prevent what is known as \u2018stink eye\u2019 \u2014 one dog stopping and staring at the other dog in a defensive or offensive manner,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cMealtime should feel safe. If a dog feels stressed and the need to eat quickly, the food will not be digested well. Visual blocking or feeding dogs in separate, closed rooms can reduce stress and even food-triggered fights.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: alexei_tm | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of your dog\u2019s prized hunting tools is at the end of his muzzle \u2014 his nose.<\/p>\n \u201cNose work highlights one of a dog\u2019s top senses and engages his brain,\u201d Cara says. \u201cGradually increase the distance and location so your dog may have to push away something to get a treat,\u201d Cara adds. \u201cDogs like to problem solve, especially when there is a food reward.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>Why Dogs Love Nose Work<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Photo: spirit_of_nature | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Purchase or get crafty and create a snuffle mat to hide treats in for your dog to sniff out. A snuffle mat is made of fleece strips tied on to a rubber mat with holes in it to provide perfect hiding spots for the treasured treats.<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>5 Rainy Day Ideas to Keep Dogs Active Indoors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Or, go low-tech and turn an empty paper towel roll into a homemade treat puzzle, Cara says.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs like to work for their food, so my husband and I save paper towels to make into food puzzles for our Boxers,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is fun watching them figure out how to find the treats.\u201d<\/p>\n Professional dog trainer Teoti Anderson is a fan of the cup game. With your dog watching, place a treat in one of three plastic drinking cups lined up. Shuffle them.<\/p>\n Then call your dog over and have him try to sniff out the cup harboring the hidden treat.<\/p>\n \u201cMake it easy for your dog to find so he doesn\u2019t become frustrated,\u201d adds Teoti, past president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo: RyanJLane | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many dogs get bored on walks done at the same time, for the same duration and at the same location. They can get anxious if they sense your impatience to quickly potty so you can return home. On occasion, take him to a new place and give him time to sniff and even choose which direction to safely take. Dole out treats at random intervals to reinforce your dog\u2019s sniffing adventures.<\/p>\n \u201cA sniff walk is a positive enrichment for a dog,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cSniffing is so important for dogs of all ages to experience their world. You may find yourself feeling less stressed as well when you focus on the present moment of spending time with your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n For special occasions, such as birthdays, adoption anniversaries or winning an agility ribbon, don your apron and treat your dog to a homemade meal or treats.<\/p>\n Let him hang out with you in the kitchen as you prepare this canine feast. Select recipes containing dog-safe people foods and, if necessary, check with your veterinarian first. A favorite treat for my dogs, Kona, Bujeau and Emma is Marvelous Mutt Meatballs<\/a> from my book, Real Food for Dogs<\/em>.<\/p>\n Some dogs can go bonkers when they spot a squirrel just out of leash reach or get overly excited at the sight of a leashed dog coming his way. Scolding or hard staring at your dog when he lunges or barks can increase stress in your dog. \u201cOf course, doing body blocking and maintaining safe distance from another dog helps, but your goal is to get your dog to associate the sight of another dog \u2014 or a squirrel \u2014 with you handing out treats,\u201d she explains. \u201cEventually, your dog will be trained that when he sees a strange dog, he will immediately look up to you and convey, \u2018Hey, isn\u2019t this the time to get treats?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n To keep your home-alone dog engaged while you are at work, set up a treat- Photo: damedeeso | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dogs love treat time, but doling out too many treats can cause your dog to pack on the pounds and sport more waddle than wiggle.<\/p>\n \u201cObesity is the No. 1 health threat pets face, and the most important pet-health decision owners make each day is what and how much they feed,\u201d says Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, how do you still keep the thrill of being a treat dispenser while keeping your dog at a healthy weight? Select healthy treats high in nutrition and low in calories.<\/p>\n That means paying attention to the ingredients on the label and the percentage of fat content.<\/p>\n Veterinary nutritionists recommend fat content to be within 5% to 20%. Fat, at a safe amount, helps provide your dog with energy, boost the flavor of some foods and maintain a healthy, shiny coat.<\/p>\n Especially during COVID-19, with people and their dogs quarantined in place, the need for quiet alone time is invaluable for your dog.<\/p>\n \u201cAllow your dog some me-alone time with treat puzzles or safe chews in a separate closed room away from the noise and distractions of the family,\u201d says Mikkel Becker, lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets<\/a>. \u201cYou are teaching your dog to develop positive independence at a mealtime or treat time. It teaches them that they do not need constant love and attention from you to feel safe and OK.”<\/p>\n The post Use Food to Engage Your Dog<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Use Food to Engage Your Dog<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n Dogs don\u2019t care about dollars or diamonds or if you have a hefty bank account or a vacation home in the Bahamas. No matter the age, size, breed or activity level, dogs are laser focused on the coveted canine currency: f-o-o-d.<\/p>\n Use this meaty knowledge to your advantage. Engage your dog strategically with tasty treats and yummy meals to boost his brainpower, elevate his emotional mood and hone his physical shape. Oh, and make him view you as the top dog in his life.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true. A dog\u2019s emotions are tied to food,\u201d says Cara Armour, a certified professional dog trainer and president of Active Paws<\/a> based in Waltham, Massachusetts. \u201cWhat is good for the body can be good for the mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogster<\/em> reached out to leading professional dog trainers to discover specific ways to use food to engage your dog so he can enjoy a fuller life with you. Consider these tactics:<\/p>\n Photo: eregraff | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It may seem like your dog sports an invisible watch \u2014 especially near mealtime. However, serving meals the minute you get up and, say, 5 p.m. sharp every day can actually cause distress and anxiety in your dog if you run late serving his meal. Maureen Patin, head trainer and co-founder of What A Great Dog training center<\/a> in Frisco and Richardson, Texas, recommends not being a clock watcher.<\/p>\n \u201cResist feeding your dog the minute you wake up because you may motivate your dog to wake you up earlier,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cWait 30 to 45 minutes after you get up so your dog does not associate you getting out of bed with instant feeding. As for dinner, feed your dog within a range of one to two hours. Mixing up mealtime will reduce the anxiety in your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Or use visual blocking barriers like putting each food bowl on the floor on opposite sides of the kitchen island to keep your dogs from seeing one another as they eat.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will prevent what is known as \u2018stink eye\u2019 \u2014 one dog stopping and staring at the other dog in a defensive or offensive manner,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cMealtime should feel safe. If a dog feels stressed and the need to eat quickly, the food will not be digested well. Visual blocking or feeding dogs in separate, closed rooms can reduce stress and even food-triggered fights.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: alexei_tm | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of your dog\u2019s prized hunting tools is at the end of his muzzle \u2014 his nose.<\/p>\n \u201cNose work highlights one of a dog\u2019s top senses and engages his brain,\u201d Cara says. \u201cGradually increase the distance and location so your dog may have to push away something to get a treat,\u201d Cara adds. \u201cDogs like to problem solve, especially when there is a food reward.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>Why Dogs Love Nose Work<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Photo: spirit_of_nature | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Purchase or get crafty and create a snuffle mat to hide treats in for your dog to sniff out. A snuffle mat is made of fleece strips tied on to a rubber mat with holes in it to provide perfect hiding spots for the treasured treats.<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>5 Rainy Day Ideas to Keep Dogs Active Indoors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Or, go low-tech and turn an empty paper towel roll into a homemade treat puzzle, Cara says.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs like to work for their food, so my husband and I save paper towels to make into food puzzles for our Boxers,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is fun watching them figure out how to find the treats.\u201d<\/p>\n Professional dog trainer Teoti Anderson is a fan of the cup game. With your dog watching, place a treat in one of three plastic drinking cups lined up. Shuffle them.<\/p>\n Then call your dog over and have him try to sniff out the cup harboring the hidden treat.<\/p>\n \u201cMake it easy for your dog to find so he doesn\u2019t become frustrated,\u201d adds Teoti, past president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo: RyanJLane | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many dogs get bored on walks done at the same time, for the same duration and at the same location. They can get anxious if they sense your impatience to quickly potty so you can return home. On occasion, take him to a new place and give him time to sniff and even choose which direction to safely take. Dole out treats at random intervals to reinforce your dog\u2019s sniffing adventures.<\/p>\n \u201cA sniff walk is a positive enrichment for a dog,\u201d Maureen says. \u201cSniffing is so important for dogs of all ages to experience their world. You may find yourself feeling less stressed as well when you focus on the present moment of spending time with your dog.\u201d<\/p>\n For special occasions, such as birthdays, adoption anniversaries or winning an agility ribbon, don your apron and treat your dog to a homemade meal or treats.<\/p>\n Let him hang out with you in the kitchen as you prepare this canine feast. Select recipes containing dog-safe people foods and, if necessary, check with your veterinarian first. A favorite treat for my dogs, Kona, Bujeau and Emma is Marvelous Mutt Meatballs<\/a> from my book, Real Food for Dogs<\/em>.<\/p>\n Some dogs can go bonkers when they spot a squirrel just out of leash reach or get overly excited at the sight of a leashed dog coming his way. Scolding or hard staring at your dog when he lunges or barks can increase stress in your dog. \u201cOf course, doing body blocking and maintaining safe distance from another dog helps, but your goal is to get your dog to associate the sight of another dog \u2014 or a squirrel \u2014 with you handing out treats,\u201d she explains. \u201cEventually, your dog will be trained that when he sees a strange dog, he will immediately look up to you and convey, \u2018Hey, isn\u2019t this the time to get treats?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n To keep your home-alone dog engaged while you are at work, set up a treat- Photo: damedeeso | Getty Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dogs love treat time, but doling out too many treats can cause your dog to pack on the pounds and sport more waddle than wiggle.<\/p>\n \u201cObesity is the No. 1 health threat pets face, and the most important pet-health decision owners make each day is what and how much they feed,\u201d says Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, how do you still keep the thrill of being a treat dispenser while keeping your dog at a healthy weight? Select healthy treats high in nutrition and low in calories.<\/p>\n That means paying attention to the ingredients on the label and the percentage of fat content.<\/p>\n Veterinary nutritionists recommend fat content to be within 5% to 20%. Fat, at a safe amount, helps provide your dog with energy, boost the flavor of some foods and maintain a healthy, shiny coat.<\/p>\n Especially during COVID-19, with people and their dogs quarantined in place, the need for quiet alone time is invaluable for your dog.<\/p>\n \u201cAllow your dog some me-alone time with treat puzzles or safe chews in a separate closed room away from the noise and distractions of the family,\u201d says Mikkel Becker, lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets<\/a>. \u201cYou are teaching your dog to develop positive independence at a mealtime or treat time. It teaches them that they do not need constant love and attention from you to feel safe and OK.”<\/p>\n The post Use Food to Engage Your Dog<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Engage](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2010_Wake-Up-Time_getty959983662.png\")
<\/p>\nReduce anxiety by practicing mealtime flexibility.<\/h3>\n
Feed your dogs in separate rooms.<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2010_Sniff-Training_getty874857158.png\")
<\/p>\nUnleash your dog\u2019s inner hunter.<\/h3>\n
\nShe recommends cutting up small pieces of cheese. With your dog watching, \u201chide\u201d a piece of cheese in an easy-to-find spot and tell your dog to \u201cfind it.\u201d Your dog smells the cheese, finds it and eats it quickly.<\/p>\n![\"Engage](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2010_Dog-Looking-Box_getty1195730501.png\")
<\/p>\nBrighten rainy days with engaging indoor food games.<\/h3>\n
Test your dog\u2019s now-you-see-it-now-you-don\u2019t skills.<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2010_beagle-sniffing_getty154956721.png\")
<\/p>\nEngage your dog with a \u201csniffari\u201d walk.<\/h3>\n
Become your dog\u2019s personal chef.<\/h3>\n
Become more popular than squirrels.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nMaureen\u2019s solution? Make yourself more appealing by rapid firing small treats to your dog to get him to shift his focus on you.<\/p>\nGo high-tech with a treat-dispensing machine.<\/h3>\n
\ndispensing camera that enables you to keep an eye on your dog and remotely release treats for his enjoyment. Among the best sellers are Petcube Bites 2 Dog Camera, the Furbo Dog Camera and Petzi Treat Cam.<\/p>\n![\"Engage](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2010_healthy-Bowl_getty470837594.png\")
<\/p>\nEngage your dog with low-calorie treats.<\/h3>\n
Boost your dog\u2019s self-confidence with alone time.<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nReduce anxiety by practicing mealtime flexibility.<\/h3>\n
Feed your dogs in separate rooms.<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nUnleash your dog\u2019s inner hunter.<\/h3>\n
\nShe recommends cutting up small pieces of cheese. With your dog watching, \u201chide\u201d a piece of cheese in an easy-to-find spot and tell your dog to \u201cfind it.\u201d Your dog smells the cheese, finds it and eats it quickly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nBrighten rainy days with engaging indoor food games.<\/h3>\n
Test your dog\u2019s now-you-see-it-now-you-don\u2019t skills.<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nEngage your dog with a \u201csniffari\u201d walk.<\/h3>\n
Become your dog\u2019s personal chef.<\/h3>\n
Become more popular than squirrels.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nMaureen\u2019s solution? Make yourself more appealing by rapid firing small treats to your dog to get him to shift his focus on you.<\/p>\nGo high-tech with a treat-dispensing machine.<\/h3>\n
\ndispensing camera that enables you to keep an eye on your dog and remotely release treats for his enjoyment. Among the best sellers are Petcube Bites 2 Dog Camera, the Furbo Dog Camera and Petzi Treat Cam.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nEngage your dog with low-calorie treats.<\/h3>\n
Boost your dog\u2019s self-confidence with alone time.<\/h3>\n