Hand feeding dogs is something we all like to do but many don’t. We don’t have the time, we are scared or something else. Now, we hope to change that. The benefits of hand feeding dogs are impressive. There are several of these and each one is more important than you may believe. Let’s explain all of the main benefits right now.
Helps Him Build Up The Focus
As you know by now there are a few benefits in this scenario. The first one is very interesting. Your dog will develop and build better focus. You probably can see a dog in training at some point. Hand feeding is a common thing in obedience class and also among many service dogs. Benefits of hand feeding dogs are important for all types of dogs.
Basically, this type of feeding will help your pet focus on you and nothing else. You can see a dog who is jealous when his owner shows affection to another dog. He does this because his owner is hand feeding him or did at some point.
This is also an excellent way to teach your dog about some impulse control so he will behave properly around food. It is also a nice and appealing method you can use to achieve this goal.
He Will Eat Slowly (Ideal For fast eaters)
You may have a dog who eats too fast. This can be a big problem. If your pet does this on a regular basis he is at risk of developing bloat. It is one of those conditions that can be harmless and can pass within minutes. On the other side, we have severe bloat complications which can be life-threatening! There are many causes of this and fast eating is one of them.
Bloat means that the gasses in the digestive tract won’t be able to escape. The blood flow will increase in the stomach but decrease in other organs. Dogs who have 100+ pounds have a 20% risk of developing bloat at some point. It can become complicated and life-threatening many times!
When you feed your pet by hand, you can easily control how much he will eat. This eliminates fast eating and at the same time teaches him to eat slowly. Over time he will start eating slowly which is precisely what you need. Large dog breeds and also those with deep chests are at a higher risk of bloat so you may want to hand feed these dog breeds.
Creates An Impressive Bond Between you Two
Hand feeding a dog can and will create an impressive bond between you two. If you already have an adult dog or a dog who has been with you for a long period of time, this may not be an important benefit. But, if you adopt a puppy or a dog it is the most important one here. Hand feeding can help him trust you more, within days! After all, you are the one who feeds him, literally.
The owner and the dog will work on their bond every single time when they are together. Walking, playing with a dog, or even watching a movie is important and beneficial. But, hand feeding is extremely beneficial because dogs love food so much.
It Helps Dogs Who Are Scared or Shy
Just because your dog is not shy (he will probably be the opposite of that) it doesn’t mean that dogs cannot be shy. As a matter of fact, many dogs are shy and they will display this odd behavior. They will avoid eye contact, hide from you, etc. Scared dogs will do the same but the situation can be even worse.
Hand feeding can solve this problem. What this means is that he will start trusting you in time. That dog will also learn that food and feeding is a positive time and he doesn’t have any reason to be shy or to hide from you. One way or another there are many perks and benefits here. The bottom line is that hand feeding can be the solution for a dog who is shy or scared.
This is especially true and important for abused dogs, pets who had a ‘’bad’’ owner, and dogs who were left alone on the street. We recommend you hand feed all of them as soon as you adopt one or you notice any shyness or fear.
As the owner, you should start first. Once you two have a strong bond and he is not scared of you or shy anymore. Other people or family members can try the same thing. The purpose and the process is always the same.
Teach Your Pet To Bite Less (Bite Inhibition)
If you have a dog who simply bites too much, hand feeding can be a solution. In other words, you can teach him to eat gently or easily. This is possible because all dogs who eat from your hand will learn to respect and obey that hand!
Here is how you can do this. Put a small piece of dog food on your palm. Open the fist and hold it so your dog can see it. If he tries to move, jump, or grab (steal the food) you will close the fist. In time he will learn and only when he behaves nicely will he get the food. Always when he tries to grab the food slowly, do not close your fist. You will confuse him.
The Final Word
Benefits of hand feeding dogs are multiple, important, and can help. The best part here is that there are no downsides to this. The bottom line is that you should try hand feeding your pet as much as you can. Start small and use treats only but gradually increase how frequently you feed him by hand. He will appreciate that and he will be a happy dog. If your dog is shy or scared most of the time, hand feeding is the best solution.