There Are No Bowls!
Don’t Use a Bowl To Feed Your Dog.
The olfactory system, the sense of smell is how your dog collects most of its information. It’s how dogs communicate. In today’s world, many of our dogs do not get enough time spent in this ever-important activity of foraging, hunting for, and working for food.
I do a lot of "work for food" activities with puppies, seniors, dogs who have behavioral issues, and dogs who need a little fun fulfillment in their day. Use these options for dogs who have anxiety, or confidence, fear & trust issues.
Hand-Feeding Exercise for Dogs
This exercise builds trust, focus, and confidence in dogs who are nervous, fearful, or unsure around people.
It’s not about obedience or touching — it’s about showing your dog that being near you leads to safe, positive experiences.
Setup
Use a 6-foot tether or leash to safely connect the dog to you.
Sit calmly with your body relaxed — no reaching, no talking, no staring.
Have your dog’s meal or high-value treats ready.
Place one piece of food about 1 foot in front of you on the floor.
Step 1: The Invitation
Say “Take it” once in a neutral tone.
Do not make eye contact, pat the ground, or encourage them further.
Allow the dog to make their own choice to approach.
If the dog eats the food — even if they retreat immediately afterward — calmly say “Good” in a neutral tone. That’s success.
Repeat the process:
Place another piece of food at the same distance.
Say “Take it.”
Mark success with “Good.”
Continue until the meal or treat session is finished.
Step 2: Stay at Success
When your dog comfortably takes food from the ground at that distance, stay at this same distance for two more meals or sessions.
This helps reinforce confidence and predictability before raising the challenge.
Step 3: Gradual Advancement
Once consistent success is achieved:
Move the food 2–3 inches closer to you each session.
Always use “Take it” and “Good” with a calm, steady tone.
If the dog hesitates, move back to the last successful distance.
Continue until the dog is confidently taking food directly from your hand.
Step 4: Hand Success
When your dog takes food from your hand:
Keep your hand still and open — don’t reach toward the dog.
Avoid touching, petting, or excessive praise.
Let calm energy and consistency do the talking.
Goal
By the end of this exercise, your dog learns that approaching you is safe, predictable, and rewarding.
Once they’re consistently hand-feeding, you’ll be ready to move on to next-level trust-building and engagement exercises.
There are also ways to leverage these protocols for dogs who resource guard or dogs who don’t get along, but I recommend coaching for before you try that.
For All Dogs — An Enrichment Activity
I do not recommend free-feeding your dog at any time. Free-feeding means leaving the bowl down all-day and refilling as it becomes empty. This can promote a finicky eater and inhibit your house-training effectiveness. Meal time also gives you an opportunity to practice some of the new skills you’re working.
There is nothing that says your dog needs to eat out of a bowl! Want to challenge him a bit more (remember, mental stimulation can be a great thing for a developing puppy or one with lots of energy). Try these options:
Frozen Kong® – Stuff a Kong with a mixture your dog’s food (or portion of), add in some veggies and fruit if desired, and some peanut butter/canned pumpkin/canned sweet potatoes, and freeze it! It will take him a while to eat the food, keeping him relaxed and calm, and mentally stimulated.
Got a fast eater – try using a Bunt Cake Pan, Muffin Tin, or cookie sheet to put his food on. It will slow him down.
I’m a huge fan of licking mats for puppies and small dogs to simulate natural instincts and enjoyment. https://amzn.to/3BUc2Va
Also try snuffle mats for puppies – foraging simulates natural instincts, keeps them busy for a while & are lots of fun https://amzn.to/3QMffea
Puzzle Games – while you can buy products that hide food in little compartments for your dog to figure out how to get to the food.
Feed the Chickens: You can also just scatter some food around the yard or patio, and let him venture out to find it. Now you’re teaching him to use his nose – a natural instinct. https://amzn.to/3BSOC2w
They use their nose and enjoy the exercise vs a free bowl of food inhaled in about 10 seconds. Let your dog use their nose to find and enjoy dinner!