If you’re a dog owner, the chances are you feed your beloved pet from a bowl. According to a canine trainer though, that isn’t always the best method of dining for your four-legged friend.
Will Atherton began a TikTok video in which he advised that mental stimulation for your pooch is of “incredible importance” and will to combat a whole host of behavioural problems. “The good thing is it doesn’t have to be crazy advanced,” he said.
The expert went on to explain that one simple method of providing that stimulation is to throw their food on to the floor and let them use their nose to be able to find it. Will continued, describing it as “literally the easiest and cheapest” game you can play with your dog that they’ll love.
To take the exercise a step further, meanwhile, Will recommended heading outside to the garden, and carrying out the same technique in the grass.
“They will really have to put that nose and mind to work,” he noted. “And they’ll find it really, really fun.”
Will also pointed out that dogs “really love” to use their nose – and in fact, they often use it “way before” their eyes and ears.
“So if you can harness that in a fun way, you’re going to give them a fun outlet that’s going to provide really good mental stimulation and that will help calm them down – and just be a better canine companion,” he said.
Will added in a caption: “You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a happy dog, lead them, exercise them, play with them, and they’ll be your ride or die best friend forever.”
The behaviour specialist followed up his advice with a second video in which he detailed his “meal drill time”. He explained: “The simple habit that can be done every day that will revolutionise your relationship with your dog.”
What is that habit? He disclosed: “This is the most important thing you can do with your dog every single day. I think every dog owner around the world should follow this – every time you feed your dog, you shouldn’t give them free access to their food.”
Whilst that might sound cruel, Will stressed the importance of not letting your dog “knock” their bowl when it’s in your hands – nor should you allow them free access to food throughout the day.
He continued, advising that your meal time should see your dog in a sitting position maintaining eye contact as you place the bowl on the floor.
“This is building amazing impulse control,” Will said. Using his own pet as an example, he noted: “She’s desperate for that food right now, but she knows she has to make sure she makes eye contact with me.”
Doing so creates a “wonderful relationship” in which the dog sees it’s owner as a “loving leader” because “everything good in their life” comes through them.
People appreciated the tips and took to the comments section to leave their thoughts. One wrote: “Now my dog eats everything outside.”
And another said: “Learned this from your puppy course back when Big Al was a pup. It’s been a foundation for us, so THANK YOU!”