Fun not formality – Building connections through paws to play – Chill pup, Happy Plate, the Art of Relaxed Mealtimes

Sharing a home with a dog often means sharing mealtimes too—but what if your dog is always hovering, hoping for a bite of your food? Teaching them to relax around food without begging isn’t about being harsh or overly strict. Instead, it’s about setting clear, kind boundaries while making sure they understand what’s expected of them.

One of the most common cues used to prevent dogs from grabbing food is “leave it.” However, in many cases, this cue is taught in a way that feels overbearing or confrontational for the dog. We want to shift away from that and teach “leave it” in a way that fosters cooperation, not conflict.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing tutorials to help you and your dog navigate food-related situations with ease.

To start, here’s a tutorial on teaching “leave it” in a kind and respectful way:
▶️ Watch the tutorial here: https://youtu.be/un5yMtbqNVw?si=Iy9C5IxAIXICl8xx

By using positive reinforcement and making “leave it” a rewarding experience, your dog will learn to disengage from food without stress or frustration. Stay tuned for more tips in the coming weeks to help create a peaceful mealtime environment for both you and your dog!