Food Is Love

"Food is Love"

A grandma, an aunt or anyone who enjoys feeding people lives by this adage. It’s true! When we think of pleasant family memories, there is almost always food involved. At the homes of friends and family, where we always feel welcome, we are fed! That’s just how it is! 

So why is something so basic to the expression of love and care for humans seen as an indulgence for dogs?  

Food is one of life's greatest joys. Food is communication. Food is love. 

When we feed another person or animal, we are showing love! What better way to build a relationship than to show love as we reinforce the behaviors we want! It’s a win-win! 

Concerned that your dog will gain weight? Food reinforcers (sometimes called treats) shouldn’t be in addition to the dog’s daily food allowance. Food does not always need to come from a bowl, and it should not be given in excess. Healthy weight is essential to optimal well-being. Variety, however, can be the difference between food that is reinforcing and food that is somewhat boring.

Besides being delivered from your hand for training and reinforcement, food can be

, placed in a food puzzle, or into a variety of feeding toys. If for no other reason than the meal lasting longer, dogs get a lot more satisfaction from working for their food than they do when they just gobble it all from a bowl in a few seconds.

An incentive is only as good as the value the receiver places on it. Dogs place a lot of value on food! Granted, some dogs are more interested in toys or play, but generally speaking, food is a high-value ticket item. Sometimes we have to do a little experimenting to find out which foods are the ticket for our dogs. There is almost always something edible that will light up a dog, and it’s worth the effort to find those tidbits that are most desirable!

When someone bristles at the suggestion that food be used to reinforce their pet dog's behavior, it is a bit baffling. Do we really want our dogs to do what we want, when we want, just because we’re the boss and we say so?  There is a better way and it builds a better relationship. 

Food indeed is love! Show the love and reap the benefits!