Tag: treats

Eating food and drinking water are fundamental needs that every human, animal, and species is entitled to. Yet, when it comes to dogs, we often place restrictions on these basic necessities asking them to wait, building excessive durations before they can eat, or managing their food intake so rigidly that it’s only allowed during training sessions. Is this fair? No wonder we see so many dogs with eating problems, resource guarding issues or nutritional deficiencies.

The Labrador Dilemma

Take Labradors, for example a breed famously labelled as “greedy” or willing to eat anything. While studies have shown that some Labradors possess a gene mutation that impacts their ability to feel satiated, we must also consider whether human actions play a role. Labrador owners, concerned about the breed’s tendency to become overweight, often restrict food or opt for low-calorie diets. These foods, high in carbohydrates but lacking in fulfilling properties, may leave dogs perpetually hungry.

Are we contributing to the problem by creating environments where food is restricted, over-managed, or insufficiently nourishing? Is it truly hunger caused by genetics, or is it a response to human-imposed limitations?

Food as a Training Tool

Using food in training is common and effective, and I use food and play as rewards too. But I ensure we never use a dog’s meal for training purposes and will give them food without asking them to do something every time and will give them a snack or their meal when I am eating as well, you wouldn’t eat in front of someone else without offering them something too. Dogs deserve to enjoy their meals without conditions attached, we just have to ensure the food we do use for training is accounted for as part of their daily calorie needs.

I focus my training on safety and building positive associations. I do generally reserve special foods something they love for training requirement to keep it exciting and rewarding which I still question my self about however I want to ensure I do not infringe on their basic right to eat freely.

Drawing Parallels with Children

Imagine if we treated children the same way we treat dogs when it comes to food. What if children had to “earn” their meals or were denied food for not meeting certain expectations? Social services would undoubtedly intervene, recognising such practices as neglectful and unethical. Yet, with dogs, this level of control is not only accepted but encouraged in many training circles.

This dynamic raises questions about the ethics of using food as leverage. Could this approach contribute to issues such as fussiness, food refusal, or digestive problems in dogs? Some dogs go days without eating or are spoon-fed or hand-fed by anxious owners. Is it possible that our own anxiety around food is perpetuating these issues?

Balancing Food and Training Needs

Of course, dogs must adapt to human lifestyles and societal expectations. Food is a practical and often essential tool for training behaviours that help dogs navigate our world safely and appropriately. But we must be mindful:

• Are the behaviours we’re training necessary for their well-being and to keep them and others safe or are they imposed solely to fit human convenience or entertainment.

• Respecting their autonomy: Dogs, like all living beings, have their own preferences and needs. While food can be a powerful motivator, we should also respect their space and allow them to make choices. When we constantly use food to guide their actions, we risk diminishing their ability to make independent decisions and express natural behaviour.
  
• The effect of food-based training on their relationship with us: Dogs form bonds based on trust and connection, not just what they can get in exchange for performing tasks. If food becomes the primary currency for every interaction, we risk shifting the relationship to one based on transactions rather than genuine companionship.
  
• Not overshadowing other forms of enrichment: Training is important, but it’s equally crucial to consider the other ways we enrich our dogs’ lives. Mental stimulation, social interactions, physical exercise, and opportunities for play all contribute to a dog’s well-being. If food is the main tool we use, we may neglect these other important aspects of a dog’s development and happiness.

A Call to Rethink

As dog professionals and dog owners, it’s time to reconsider our approach to food and training. Dogs are not here to entertain us or live in ways entirely contrary to their instincts. They deserve to have their basic needs and natural behaviours where possible met without excessive restriction or exploitation.

Let’s aim to build confidence and trust through mindful practices that respect their nature. By focusing on safety, positive associations, and rewards that are meaningful yet balanced, we can create training experiences that enhance our dogs’ well-being without compromising their right to simply enjoy being dogs.

By rethinking how we use food, we can help dogs live healthier, happier lives—free from unnecessary stress and anxiety around their most basic need.

If you would like to chat with me or get support with your dog or puppy book in a call with me below.