DITCH

THE BOWL
POUR VALUE INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BANK ACCOUNT
INSTEAD OF A BOWL
DITCH
THE BOWL
Pour value into the RELATIONSHIP
BANK ACCOUNT instead of a bowl
Our dogs wake up every morning with a big pot of value
for that day – i.e. food. We can decide where and how that
pot of value is divided and feed our dog as and when we
want to around our busy lifestyle.

By playing games we pour all that value into the RELATIONSHIP BANK ACCOUNT
instead of a bowl. The benefits are HUGE and it really is massive for long-term Start that transition of ditching the food bowl…
relationship investment with your dog. It is probably the biggest change you 1. Initially get your dog to 2. Then try bowling 3. Restrain them – throw
could make to boost your overall relationship because you become the centre chase the food in your hand – the food away from the piece of food ahead,
of everything fun. Some tips on how to start that transition of ditching get them pursuing that food, your dog and get them get them interested and
the food bowl, as well as some fun feeding ideas to follow! targeting it and trying to get it to chase after it then send them to go get it

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Now that you are having fun, and your dog is happy being fed
from you rather than the bowl, there are LOADS of different
ways to feed your dog. Here are a few examples:

HAND EARN Earning food from the

TRAINING / OUT
hand is super cool for
promoting ORIENTATION
to us and PROXIMITY

ON WALKS:
Earning food from the hand is super cool for promoting
ORIENTATION to us and PROXIMITY.
You have already learnt some awesome games for this - orientation game and magic
hand to name just a couple! So use the food to play and teach the concepts and skills
that you are working on, such as loose leash walking.

Now we can already hear you say “But I feed raw”!

Don’t worry because there is always a solution...

• Treat dispenser
• Squeeze tube
• Chunks of raw cut into smaller pieces
• Scoop minced raw into a small
spoon and feed from that
• Roll into little meatballs
(or use a mould) and refreeze

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CHEWS
Similar to the stuffed toys, chews are another great long lasting
treat and also help with calmness protocol. There are so many
natural chews out there, but here are some ideas:

Natutripe pressed Antlers (choose Ears (raw or

tripe bones your source / style dehydrated
/ size carefully rabbit / lamb /
though as they cow / pig)
can chip teeth)

Bull pizzles (aka Bully

sticks), available in various
lengths, girths and styles
including braided! Paddy whacks
(dehydrated
or raw) Puffed
jerky

Appropriately sized RAW bones

Fish skin braids / knots (chicken / duck / turkey / lamb
(cubes and strips are fab necks, chicken / duck / turkey
for teeth cleaning but wings, poultry carcasses, ribs)
won’t last long) Plain / stuffed
hooves

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STUFFED
something which has a more complicated
shape to interact with. But, whilst making the
shape harder, you should make the filling
easier so that the dog isn’t worked too hard.

TOYS
4. Now you are getting amazing results! Gradually
up the challenge by using different fillings or start
to freeze for a little longer each time.

By following these simple steps you are

These promote calm and are great teaching your dog how to successfully finish
for bringing arousal levels back down, eating those long lasting rewards. This will
whether that is after a ‘reactivity build up your dog’s tolerance to frustration
episode’ when out walking in the and ensure they don’t give up. AWESOME!
park; or after being at an agility
training session. You will find many forms of stuffed toys in the
shops and on the internet so find something
They are also a great way to add value to that works for you and your dog.
boundary games and for those occasions
when you have a lot going on around the Kongs are a popular brand but there are other
house. For example, you have tradesmen: options including mats where you can spread
pop the dog on a boundary and give them your dog’s favourite treat over the surface
a stuffed toy and allow them to chill. There and give them a long lasting game where they
are a few simple steps you should follow when have to lick every last bit of food out with their
introducing stuffed toys to your dog. tongue (remember repetitive licking is also
very soothing for your dog).
1. Start by allowing your dog to eat out of an
open ended hoof (or something similar) – this
is simple and your dog will easily succeed!

2. Then make it a little bit more challenging

Stuffed Toys - great for
by freezing slightly (remember the longer you bringing arousal levels
freeze, the more challenging it becomes). back down

3. Once your dog has mastered the above

with progressive levels of difficulty, start on

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SNUFFLE MATS /
SCATTER FEEDING
This is a low arousal activity and great calming protocol.
It is a great way to occupy the brain as they search for the food.

SCATTER FEEDING
When you first introduce this game you
want them to have a huge amount of
success in finding the food so make sure
that some of the food is easy to find and
keep that REINFORCEMENT HIGH.

Not only can you do this in your house /

garden, but scatter feeding is awesome
when out and about on walks.

It is a great
way to occupy
the brain as
they search for
the food

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 Rosewood SloDog Slow
Feeder Orange

SLOW FEEDER /
PUZZLE BOWLS
Many people use slow feeder bowls to stop their dogs from gulping down their Outward Hound Fun
food (due to the risks of choking, vomiting, food bloat, etc.). Whilst this is true, Feeder Slow Bowl Flower
we can see that some of you may be a little confused about why we have written Design
about this in a ‘Ditch the bowl’ eBook?

Well, the answer to that is simple: Because they are a GAME.

They are great for giving your dog something to do – they are a challenge,
and when randomly given to your dog, they simply love them!

There are some AMAZING ones out there, so search around

for one that your dog will enjoy. Below are just a few that we
found from a google search….
Fetch - Outward Hound
Fun Feeder Slow Bowl
Drop Design

Fetch - Northmate Green

Slow Feeder

All products found

at: fetch.co.uk

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INTERACTIVE /
PUZZLE TOYS:
These are SUPER COOL – your dog has to problem solve in order
to get the food. They can do this by licking, digging, etc.

These toys aid cognitive development, keep your dog stimulated and are a
great mental workout. But ultimately, we find that our dogs simply LOVE
them. The shops and internet are full of toys that you can buy, for example:

www.k9connectables.com We’ve also seen people

www.petsafe.net/busybuddy use muffin tins & tennis
www.nina-ottosson.com balls; rotating bottles;
www.aikiou.com balls in a paddling pool,
etc. As well as being
BUT, you really don’t have to spend loads great for problem
of money on them. We love it when our solving, they are also
students are inventive and create their own. great for building your
dog’s confidence.
On one of our Facebook groups recently, We would love for you
we saw someone fill a shoebox with empty to be INVENTIVE and
toilet rolls and hide the treats in them. The see what you come
dog seriously loved trying to find them all. up with!
your dog has to
problem solve in order
to get the food

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TRAINING
TREAT IDEAS
Whilst it’s best to use your dog’s dinner as much as possible, it is good to have
a variety – all of different value for different situations. Remember at all times to
It is good to have a variety,
all of different value for
be mindful of your dog’s tolerances but remember there are lots of different food different situations
groups available to you to keep the variety. There are far too many options to list
here, but to get you thinking…

THINGS FROM
THE KITCHEN
VEGETABLES FRUITS MEAT HERBS & SEEDS DAIRY CUPBOARDS
• Carrots • Coconut • Chicken • Tumeric • Oils and Milks • Tinned Fish
• Broccoli • Apple • Beef • Aloe Vera • Coconut oil • Oats
• Parsnips • Pineapple • Liver • Ginger • Cheese • All Bran
• Pumpkins • Strawberries • Lamb • Cinnamon • Goats milk • etc...
• Kale • Oranges • Duck • Parsley • Eggs
• Runner Beans • Bananas • Turkey • etc... • etc...
• Spinach • Kiwi • Ham
• etc... • etc... • etc...

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FROZEN
DOG TREATS
So, on those really hot summer days,
an ice lolly can be a welcome treat for
us humans right? Well here’s the thing,
our dogs love frozen treats too!

Many of us have thrown our dog an ice cube

on a hot day, but why not be more adventurous
and have some frozen treats prepared in your
freezer, ready for those occasions. There is just so
much VARIETY on things you can freeze, including:

• Vegetables & Fruit

• Chicken & Beef broth
• Fruit juices (ensure low in sugar!)
• Yogurts Be more
adventurous and
have some frozen
Go and give it a try treats prepared in
YOUR DOG WILL LOVE IT! your freezer

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DON’T BE
DAUNTED!
Sometimes the thought of changing
our dogs feeding regime can seem
becoming part of their meal times is an
amazing way to bond and bring joy to the
a huge undertaking (especially relationship. Dogs are driven to work for their
those with multiple dogs) like with food they actively seek ways to get it (hunting,
everything try it in achievable stalking, chasing) we often prevent many of
chunks, that fit your life. Can you these behaviours so it’s hugely rewarding
do 1 bowl a week ? With each dog? for our dogs when we replace them with an
Just their breakfast? Or just their alternative way to work for their meals.
evening meals? How cool is that?

Mix it up to suit you it’s not an all or

nothing game but a way of changing how you
BY DITCHING THE
and your dog view food times. You’ll find the BOWL WE ARE
more you try the easier and more addictive ENRICHING THEIR
it gets. Busy week at work don’t sweat it this
is the time to use the chews as part of their LIVES !!
meals and you can dip in and out of the
games. The great thing is it’s so much fun and
so easy to do that just two minutes a meal
can bring about huge changes in your dogs.

Worried your dog will resent earning their

food? Don’t be! We don’t consider it earning
our dogs are not working for us more we are
playing together - feeding for most species
has a social aspect so take your dog out
for a meal! Dogs love to interact and

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