The Ritual Of Feeding Your Dog: Negative Behaviors

A dog looks at a bowl of food.

Food carries a powerful message in the dog world. Puppies work for food by waiting patiently for their mother. This is a form of psychological exercise, and it’s important for a healthy state of mind.

Domestication has brought about a change in the way dogs receive their meals and in the way they behave before mealtime. Dogs will often become excited, anxious, or aggressive at the prospect of being fed. If you feed your dog when he displays negative behaviors, you are reinforcing the behavior, and it will almost certainly reoccur.

I feed many dogs at the same time with no problems. Dogs that show calm-submissive energy get to eat first, and dogs that show negative behaviors such as aggression or nervousness must wait. When these dogs project calm-submissive energy, I reward them with their meal – much like their mother or pack leader would do.

Mealtimes are a useful tool to help you connect with your dog and work to shape his demeanor. Make sure your dog has reached a calm-submissive state before you place the food bowl in front of him. By doing so, you are not only providing him with nutrition, you are helping him lead a balanced and happy life.


More From Cesar's Way Videos

Recommended Videos


Related Posts

October 5, 2023

Why Do Dogs Bury Things?

Dogs like to bury things. Sometimes that means finding a bone or a toy under

October 5, 2023

Does Your Dog Resent You?

We've probably all experienced that “guilty dog” look — the one that they give us

October 5, 2023

Dog in Mourning: Helping Pets Cope With Loss

A heart-tugging image of a brown Labrador retriever named Hawkeye lying beside the American flag-draped

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get Tips From Cesar & The Pack

Don’t get left out of the doghouse! Sign up now to make sure you’re up to date on the latest happenings!

Trending Today

Trending This Week