Behavior around the bowl

I've always hand feed my puppies for one meal and let them eat from their bowl for the next one or two meals (depending on how old the puppy is). When they are eating from their bowl, I'll sit next to them and every once in a while I'll reach over and pet them. Were I pet them depends on how calm they are. If they'er tense, then I'll scratch there bottom or wherever they'er comfortable with. If they don't mind me touching them while they'er eating I'll scratch their ear or play with the food a little, like taking some out and giving it to the puppy or just swirling it around with my finger. No one can say my method dosn't work because all my dogs are non food aggressive toward people.:biggrin2: But the method in the video is really good too. I'll have to try that some day.:yes: Thanks for the video!
 
Great video - I always give a few kibbles by hand first, have her sit and then fill the bowl and feed a few more by hand - so hands near bowl always mean I get food and sometimes petting to. I've owned 4 shelties so far and never had one with food guarding issues.
 
When new puppy comes into my home I always hand fed the first couple months. They do not eat out of a bowl or if they do I add it bit by bit. Does a couple things , helps me bond, establishes me as the keeper if this valuable resource, makes food important to them and something to be earned(I have never had a fussy dog, all foodies) and it almost eliminates all food bowl aggression(Ember has shown some rare food resource guarding behaviors not towards humans ever but the other dogs)
 
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