Hand-feeding dogs is not a bad thing. In fact, a lot of trainers advise it for dogs with guarding issues, domineering behavior, or food-related territorial feelings.
You must teach your dog to calm down if they snap at the slightest touch in their bowl. It will be very helpful, especially if you have children at home. But the key here is moderation. We want to instill in our dogs both independence and peaceful coexistence. It’s great if you hand-feed your dog to help them learn to coexist, but if you do it too frequently, you risk making them co-dependent, and that’s when the problems start.
The key is to be able to access their food bowl while still being able to leave them alone so they can eat independently.
You may be wondering why your dog can’t eat on their own if they have reached the point where they will only consume food that is given to them by hand.
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Contrary to popular belief or what you may have heard, hand feeding your dog can actually be beneficial.
Here are a few reasons to think about giving your dog some meals by hand each week.
1. Relationship and trust building. Because he receives food when he pays attention to you, hand feeding your dog teaches him that when you reach out to him, good things happen, like he gets to eat.
2. Resource Guarding. A dog who already resource guards can benefit from hand feeding, which can also help prevent a dog from resource guarding. If you only give your dog food from your hand, you’re teaching her that you hold the key to valuable items and that when you enter her territory, it’s time for food.
3. Impulse Control. Keep your hand closed until your dog stops mugging you for the food to perform close hand feeding. Open your hand and feed your dog as soon as he moves away, looks away, or simply stops pawing or licking at it. He’ll soon understand that the quicker he exercises restraint, the sooner he can eat.
4. Inhalers. Dogs who eat too quickly will benefit from hand feeding without a doubt. Additionally, you have the opportunity to train concurrently as a bonus. While giving your dog small portions of her meal, practice some fundamental obedience commands.
5. Shy or Fearful Canines. Hand feeding is extremely beneficial for dogs who are anxious around people, especially if you get other family members, and eventually friends and neighbors, to hand feed your anxious dog as well. Don’t rush this process; begin where your dog feels most at ease and gradually increase the amount of contact.
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The Benefits of Hand Feeding Your Dog
One of the biggest advantages of hand feeding your dog is that it’s a simple way to get them to start paying more attention to you. With all that extra focus, working with your dog will be much simpler in the future. Additionally, it has the advantage of fostering excellent manners and self-control.
But hand feeding your dog isn’t just beneficial for training; it’s especially beneficial for shy or fearful dogs because it fosters confidence, fosters socialization, and builds trust. It’s a great way to deepen your relationship with your dog and a simple way to get them to start paying attention to you.
Your Dog Is Scared
In many households with multiple dogs, one of them may begin to dominate the others. The submissive dog may exhibit symptoms of canine anorexia in these circumstances, which is when they stop eating unless they are extremely hungry.
They don’t completely stop eating when you start feeding them with your hand; instead, they form a new habit. Many dogs in this circumstance stop eating from their bowls because they are aware that they are not in a secure environment.
Because they are aware that you will shoo the dominant dog away if they approach, they prefer to eat from your hands.
They may also act in the same manner if they are afraid of the setting where they eat. If the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, or anything else that makes a loud noise is close to where they are eating, chances are they are afraid of the machines even when they are turned off and try to stay away from the area as much as possible.
Since many pet parents feed their animals just before they leave for work, they associate eating with being alone. Dogs who experience separation anxiety may avoid eating because they fear that it will make you leave.
FAQ
Is it good to feed a dog from your hand?
Dogs who eat too quickly will benefit from hand feeding without a doubt. Additionally, you have the opportunity to train concurrently as a bonus. While giving your dog small portions of her meal, practice some fundamental obedience commands.
Why do some dogs want to be hand fed?
When your dog was ill or acting picky, during a switch in dog food, or when they came from another situation—such as a shelter, foster family, previous owner, or breeder—where hand feeding was the norm, they may have learned to eat out of hand.
Does hand feeding a dog build trust?
Open or free-feeding may come with consequences like overeating, however. Overeating can result in weight gain, which puts stress on the heart and joints. Make sure you are only placing a healthy amount of food in the bowl if you choose free feeding (ask us about the best nutrition options for your pets).