5 Benefits of Hand Feeding Your Dog (And How To Do It)

How do you feed your dog? Do you simply place their food in a bowl and let them eat freely? Or do you give a verbal command to prompt them to eat? Have you ever considered hand feeding your dog?

Hand feeding plays a crucial role in training your dog and should not be overlooked. Many professional dog trainers highly recommend hand feeding as the primary method of feeding your dog, and for good reason.

Importance of Hand Feeding Your Dog

Here’s how hand feeding your dog can benefit you and your four-legged friend:

1. Building relationship and trust 

Hand feeding teaches your dog that reaching towards him leads to positive outcomes, such as being fed. It also helps in improving focus as your dog learns to pay attention to you.

2. Addressing resource guarding 

Hand feeding can assist in managing resource guarding behavior or preventing it from developing.

By feeding your dog only from your hand, you establish yourself as the provider of valuable resources and food.

3. Developing impulse control 

Close hand feeding involves keeping your hand closed until your dog stops trying to snatch the food. Once your dog demonstrates self-control by backing away, looking away, or ceasing to paw or lick your hand, you can open your hand and offer a reward.

This encourages your dog to exercise control and teaches him that he needs to wait calmly to receive food.

4. Managing fast eaters

Hand feeding is beneficial for dogs who tend to wolf down their food too quickly, and as a result, suffer stomach pain.

It allows you to control the pace of their eating, while enabling you to incorporate some training exercises during the mealtime. Utilize this opportunity to practice basic obedience skills while feeding your dog small portions at a time.

5. Assisting shy or fearful dogs

Hand feeding is particularly helpful for dogs that are nervous around people. By gradually introducing hand feeding with other family members, friends, and neighbors, you can help your dog become more comfortable and trusting. Start at a level where your dog feels most at ease and gradually increase contact over time.

How to Hand Feed Your Dog

1. Measure out your dog's food as usual, but instead of placing it in a bowl, place it in a cup or pouch. Then, gradually feed them until the pieces are finished.

2. If your dog starts to get pushy, remove your hand.

3. Only allow your dog to eat when they are acting calm and respectful.

4. If your pup doesn't want to eat this way, don't force him. You can always try hand-feeding him later.

5. Make your dog sit if they don't want to be hand fed, and try to offer the food as a treat.

How to Hand Feed Your Dog without Getting Bitten

As you can see, hand feeding your dog is a good idea, whether they eat raw or not.

To safely hand feed a raw diet, follow the same steps mentioned earlier - and:

• Hold the food in a fist and gradually open your hand as your dog becomes less mouthy. 
• Make sure to avoid pinching the food between your thumb and forefinger, as this can provoke a bite. 
• Securely tuck the food into the pocket of your thumb pressed against your hand and allow your dog to nose it out from there. 

By practicing this method, you can effectively hand feed your dog while minimizing the risk of getting bitten, regardless of their diet.

This method allows you to establish a stronger bond with your furry companion while simultaneously promoting mental stimulation and physical exercise. Additionally, hand feeding encourages your dog to focus solely on you, making it easier to train them and reinforce positive behaviors.

Consider incorporating hand feeding into your dog's routine and witness the positive impact it can have on their behavior and overall happiness. So why not take the time to provide your loyal companion with this beneficial and rewarding experience?