"Ditch the Bowl" to Build Great Behavior

Does your dog snarf up a bowl of kibble in 20 seconds and then look up at you asking what's next? If "what's next" includes things like barking, pulling, lunging, jumping up or being anxious, we always suggest saving at least some of the "gold" in that nutritious bowl to use creatively to encourage the behavior you'd like to see.  That can mean turning those meals into natural "foraging" activity (scatter feeding, stuffed toys, puzzle toys) or using it as you actively engage with your dog in training and play that builds your connection. The trainers from Absolute Dogs in the U.K. coined the term "Ditch the Bowl" as shorthand to refer to this approach of using a dog's regular food to teach, enrich, and build the bond with your dog. (For some extra fun, check out their "Sexier Than A Squirrel" challenge — a series of games that build upon each other.)