What A Treat!
Hand Feeding vs Bowl Feeding: Why It Matters
If you’re training your dog and relying on shop-bought treats, how’s that working out? Do you find yourself constantly chasing the next “high value” snack because the last ones stopped cutting it?
Here’s the thing: yes, food rewards work — but there’s a better way that won’t cost you a fortune or pile extra weight on your dog.
Use their daily food.
Whether you feed kibble or raw, your dog’s meals can be their training rewards. It might feel a bit more effort (especially with raw), but trust me — having your dog work for their food is one of the best motivators you’ve got.
Why not treats?
The problem with stacking extra treats on top of meals is simple: your dog might not even want them.
Think about it like this: if you’ve had a full English for breakfast, a sausage roll at 11am isn’t all that tempting. Skip breakfast though, and you’ll be eyeing that pastry up like it’s gold dust.
Dogs are no different. No dog is “not food motivated” — otherwise they’d be dead. Plus, most “dog treats” sold are total junk for your dog.
Hand Feeding = Engagement
When you ditch the bowl and hand-feed instead, every piece of food comes from you. That means:
More engagement with you.
More chances to train through the day.
Better control over calories so your dog doesn’t end up overweight.
This style of feeding is often called hand feeding. Instead of tipping food in a bowl, you deliver it bit by bit — while loading markers, luring positions, or rewarding good choices.
A Note on Raw Feeders
Yeah, it’s not as convenient. But it’s doable with the right setup — something like The Raw Pocket plus some decent latex gloves (sexy).
And if you do want the odd alternative, Rodi (from the crew at K9 Corner) is a solid option without going down the “junk treat” route.
Don’t Cave Too Early
Hand feeding also cuts down on fussiness. If the dog doesn’t work, they don’t get paid. Simple.
If they skip a meal or two, don’t panic — dogs are tougher than we give them credit for. Stick with it. If you’re three days in and still struggling, then it’s time to tweak the plan — but don’t fold on day one.
The Payoff
The whole idea is to build desire for the food they already eat. That way you’re not stuck upgrading treats until you’re dishing out fillet steak just to get a recall.