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by Vixen on 25 November 2011 - 12:11
Have noticed recently, or heard people who do not give their dog his/her dinner as a whole meal (whether once or twice a day) - but prefer to feed in dribs and drabs generally or particularly while training. Thus keeping a hungry dog attentive to his Owner for food. Wondering just how common is this practise?
Afterall dogs are not grazing animals like sheep and cows, they eat a full meal and then rest. Surely this also helps their digestive system to work more appropriately, as a non-grazing animal.
Those who support feeding little morsels hither and thither, do they really want the dog rivetted on the food, because he/she is hungry, with the reasoning that he is working or bonding to them? Are those who do not give their dogs the understanding and engagement of dinner time, actually feel they are providing rather than (perhaps) withholding.
Regards,
Vixen
Afterall dogs are not grazing animals like sheep and cows, they eat a full meal and then rest. Surely this also helps their digestive system to work more appropriately, as a non-grazing animal.
Those who support feeding little morsels hither and thither, do they really want the dog rivetted on the food, because he/she is hungry, with the reasoning that he is working or bonding to them? Are those who do not give their dogs the understanding and engagement of dinner time, actually feel they are providing rather than (perhaps) withholding.
Regards,
Vixen
by starrchar on 25 November 2011 - 16:11
When I trained my sister's hearing service dog I did that. She was very food driven and I used her regular food for training rewards. I got out her alloted amount of food every day and we'd do up to seven short training sessions a day for about 4 months. Of course she was eventually weaned off the food rewards. By the time the training was completed she was on normal twice a day feedings. It worked very well. She turned out to be a very reliable service dog.
by Mindhunt on 25 November 2011 - 22:11
I have seen this type of training used with our arson dogs. They were food reward only and their handlers had to hide accelerant scent all around and then when the dog alerted on the scent, she/he got food fed from the handler's hand. The handlers did this twice a day and usually 5-7 spots. The only time the dogs got to eat was with proper alerting on scent finds. I realize this was over 10 years ago, but I have never seen a more neurotic bunch of dogs. They were never weaned like Starcharr's dog to regular feedings. Any time the handler was out of sight like bathroom or shower break, if he didn't take the dog with him, the dog was a wreck, if we were at a fire and the handler was in the building fighting fire, the dog was a wreck. Depending on the dog, it ranged from absolute basket case to visibly anxious. I understand the mindset behind it but it broke my heart. And yes, the dogs were focused on their handlers to the nth degree.
by Vixen on 26 November 2011 - 11:11
Shocking! We want the best from our dogs in response to working with us, BUT this means we need to give our best as well to their understanding of the relationship. Our responsibility (as Owners), and our love and respect for their species (as dogs) surely means to take care of them physically, mentally and emotionally.
Feeding a dog his 'dinner' by way of little treat rewards is not a reward, it is his/her dinner!
Dogs deserve and should rely on their human Carer/Owner to provide their rightful enjoyment of their dinner.
(Mindhunt, It must have been very distressing to observe dogs in that disturbing manner).
Thank you both for sharing.
Regards,
Vixen
Feeding a dog his 'dinner' by way of little treat rewards is not a reward, it is his/her dinner!
Dogs deserve and should rely on their human Carer/Owner to provide their rightful enjoyment of their dinner.
(Mindhunt, It must have been very distressing to observe dogs in that disturbing manner).
Thank you both for sharing.
Regards,
Vixen
by starrchar on 26 November 2011 - 22:11
If I would've given her treats on top of her meals she would've become overweight. She never showed any behavioral issues and actually she LOVED the training sessions. I must say that to do this for a dog's entire life would not sit well with me, BUT it was a very positive method of training on the short term. The professional trainer who mentored me during the training process said this is how hearing dogs were routinely trained. This was back in the mid 90's.
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