Do This ONE THING for your DOG (and yourself!) in 2024!

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In this video I show you how we can use your dog's regular meals to help our dogs lead more happy and fulfilled lives while getting better behaved dogs. We use time of day as a way to remind ourselves to train our dog twice a day, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. I show you how to also use their food in enriching ways when you don't have time to train.
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[@DoggyU]

👉🏽What's your dog's favorite enrichment toy or game? 🐕 Drop it in the comments so other dogs and their humans can discover it!

[@Boone22]

My dogs go out an feed the livestock twice a day. If the dogs are lazy in the morning, they get no morning treat. Lol

[@DoggyU]

@@Boone22 Feeding the livestock sounds pretty enriching - as long as they aren't grabbing any special snacks in the grass that the livestock has left behind 😂

[@Boone22]

@@DoggyU no, they are not allowed to have road apples! Lol! Nor..chicken a do do..haha!

[@DoggyU]

@@Boone22 🤣🤣

[@Boone22]

@@DoggyU another doggy no no is green perfume..lol! That means rolling in the manure. Huge NO No!

[@robinmccauley1035]

When I first adopted my dog (now my service dog) he was pretty underweight (37lb when he should have been ~50lb) and was food crazy, so the first and most important thing for him was building up food security. Scattering food was and is a great way to make sure he didn't eat so fast he threw it back up, but because of his background, it was also important that he felt he was going to be fed no matter what, so I never made him work for his main meals, and didn't add kibble to his treat mix for training until he felt secure in his food situation. A dog that's never had to worry about food will usually do better training around their meals, but for a dog where their food situation was questionable making sure they know they will be fed no matter what will help them be successful at making the right choices when you eventually ask them to work around food

[@Cherylsimm]

My dog is a chihuahua so he doesn't get much food to fill a kong but he hears it when I shake it! I also made a snuffle mat and use a fluffy rug to wrap his food in! He's a good boy even without the brain games.

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

My younger Dobe won't eat his lunch if I put it in his bowl. Has to be in his snuffle mat. Sara Ondrako has a video on how to make a snuffle mat with a pocket. Hound Hugger also has DIY snuffle toys. Any type of scent work helps build their confidence too. The one Dobe has to find multiple treats hidden different places after he comes in and before he eats. Really helps them want to fly inside. They know it's training time. Lick mats and lick bowls help calm them down too. Hope that helps.

[@FenrirAldebrand]

The first day I brought my Belgian Malinois pup home I never had a food bowl for him. Used it for training and engagement. Slows him down, mentally tires him out. I also have puzzle feeders for when I'm tired. 😂 Also, I've never had to progress him with a puzzle. I legit just put it in front of him and even if it's the first time he'll have it solved in 10 minutes. I have the Nina ones, I need to get him a level 4 expert puzzle. He's only 6 months old!

[@michaelinejunefrost9437]

Congratulations for getting a “Mali-gator” … when I worked on night shift patrol for the police department I got to watch “Mals” doing what they love - work in intense situations - and they are incredible Dogs … incredible Police Officers!

[@LindsayHaven]

I need to do more training with kibble. I just need to find a kibble my dog likes. Thanks, Laura!

[@DoggyU]

If your dog doesn't love their kibble, sometimes I will use a different "special" kibble when we start training that's the same quality. ie. they get one kibble in the toy, but the other "special" but equally nutritional kibble for training. You could also make a trail mix with more than one kibble in it to keep them fresh and guessing.

[@Vercopaanir]

3:35 hang on I loved the clip of you proofing those down stays/places with the penguin suit

[@DoggyU]

When you train wearing weird costumes, or in weird positions, and around other distractions, the weird stuff you see out in the world just seems normal! :)

[@michaelinejunefrost9437]

Hi Laura, Jake, & Coolwhip! Great video & I have started doing this with my GSD-mixed up pup Sophie … doing training time in “the morning” right after potty time and when I know she will be very food-reward motivated, & I give her about 1/3rd of her daily kibble. Later in the afternoon or early evening we do some training again, & munch another third of kibble or “higher quality” treats for better motivation. Then before bed I give Sophie a “Kong-typish” toy stuffed with wet food/kibble (sometimes frozen, sometimes not) which she takes into her big house (itsa big doggy cage, but we call it “Sophie’s House”) where she licks ‘n gnaws ‘n gnaws ‘n licks it until she & her tongue are both tired & satisfied! I’m working towards being able to put her in her house with the food-stuffed toy & being able to leave - 1st “the room”, 2nd “the house”, & 3rd “the property” (HALLELUJAH ‼️). Sophie is justa “weeee bit” anxious when she can’t see her old Momma 🤣 … old Momma has been justa “weeee bit” trapped at home because Sophie is also rather jumpy & happily over over reactive to every human & doggy she sees. Thank you Laura & pups for all the awesome wisdom & training y’all share! Now, Sophie & I are going to go open two boxes that just got delivered … her new big dog “mobile home”, & my new Doggy U training T-shirt & cap, & Doggy U stickers … one for her new mobile home … the other for my new-ish “5-Star Mobility Scooter”, the “Excalibur” model. That way Sophie & I can advertise Doggy U when we’re out & about! Take care y’all❣️ June🤠 & Sophie🦮 💜

[@moonshadow3324]

I have cats not dogs, and this kind of works with them as well. I give my cats three meals a day, they eat out of a lick mat or a puzzle toy. One of those stationary ones, and I absolutely love it. So I think if a cat can love something like that so can a dog. As well as I actually trained my cats, so before they get the meal they actually have to sit and wait for me, and then I click them with a clicker. I actually have two types of clickers, one for meal times which is actually a dog clicker. And then the other for actual training sessions, which is actually a cat clicker. The difference is one has a different sound than the other, one has a lower tone click versus a higher toned click.

[@demonicnesquik2032]

I struggle with puzzle feeders with my dog because he’s so smart that he tends to figure out how to get the food out super fast so sometimes instead I’ll just make my dog wait, throw the kibble on the floor and put a blanket over it and then tell him to eat and he loves it

[@DoggyU]

Love this! I will do this with a towel or blanket sometimes as well, sometimes wrapping the food in it. I love using items I have around the house to provide enrichment!

[@michaelinejunefrost9437]

@@DoggyUMy Sophie would have way too much fun shredding the towel or blanket - UGH‼️🐕💜

[@DoggyU]

@@michaelinejunefrost9437 haha it might not be the right fit for every dog ;)

[@grimessh]

Great video with lots of great tips! Thank you for putting this together. I’ve used kings before and different puzzle toys but never the topples. Thanks for sharing!

[@DoggyU]

I really like the Toppls because you can really fit a full meal in them, and they now make an XL, so that's the case now for large dogs too. They're also great for puppies or dogs that lose interest if a KONG is too "hard" for them to get all the way to the bottom of.

[@rp-oh9hs]

Thanks so much!!!! I have been doing this unconsciously for a long time but it now makes so much sense. My Standard Poodle Service Dog needs a lot of stuff to do throughout the day if we aren’t out and about. He also waits for me to eat so that is what sparked my need for him to eat even if I don’t, or if I am entertaining or cooking a long meal. Awesome!

[@earth2wendy]

❤this, ❤U! Been rotating lately among snuffle mat and puzzle toys, and helping Trip learn the 24-square Nina Ottesson puzzle. This makes for really pleasant and fun “together” time too. Wonderful vid with so *many* excellent points. Thanks, Laura! from Trip 🐕💕

[@DoggyU]

Very fun! And yes! Even just having morning tea with your dog while they do their puzzle can be just a really nice way to start the day!

[@earth2wendy]

@@DoggyU You made Trip’s day! Supper was dry kibble in the snuffle mat and canned in a Toppl. He was tickled. Also trained holding a variety of old and new objects, and played tug & toss together. You gave me JUST the new year’s kick-start we so badly needed!! 🥳🐕♥️😄

[@DoggyU]

@@earth2wendy Love it!

[@lizdowning6134]

Going to add that egg as a topper in my west paws. Like that idea. Thanks for the great tips

[@DoggyU]

I definitely throw in whatever i have hanging around (that's dog safe) lol! Leftover veggies, meat, chickens foot sticking out, it's all fair game!

[@armadillofeathers4850]

Great video, thanks for sharing, love the streaks in your hair as well

[@DoggyU]

Thank you!

[@lornacy]

You always have such great advice 😊 😊

[@DoggyU]

Thanks @lornacy!

[@reneemckinnon5731]

My dogs love food games and toys! I first started with the traditional Kong feeder but they now have, snuffle mats and toys, my little dog has the Kong puzzle that looks like a ringed planet and my big dog has a Kong spinner toy, and I’ve just started them on licking mats. I’ve noticed a big drop in over grooming in both dogs since I got the licking mats, which was what I was hoping for👌🏽 They really love pattern games too 😊

[@DoggyU]

That's so interesting about the overgrooming thing! I also have that planet toy and my older dog LOVES it! For those looking for what we're talking about, it's this one (or at least mine is LOL!): amzn.to/3S4jjtf

[@scoobydooby1471]

love the JACKPOT game

[@CircusStellaShow]

You've been booped. I love how you assume my floors are clean enough to feed a dog off of 🤣🤣🤣

[@hannahandrainn]

I feed raw but rarely use a bowl ☺️

[@hpmbusinesssolutioncenter6712]

Could you make a video on training to go get help? I am training my dog as a service dog but I can’t seem to find videos on teaching my dog to get help or to find someone to help me in a emergency. I’m training him as a PSD and he is good but I need to cover everything. Thank you ❤

[@DoggyU]

I'll add it to the list :)

[@hpmbusinesssolutioncenter6712]

@@DoggyU thank you🥰

[@kristinlawrence3704]

So i was born and raised in Maine and moved to TX in 2022. I have no idea with how to let my dog have a good time since its so hot here. Plus i have an american bulldog who isnt fond of heat. Im going to have to try this inside in the AC. I cant take her out in the woods to run and sniff around like i did in Maine...everything is hot and will kill you here 😔

[@DoggyU]

Lots of indoor enrichment on those hot days, and getting them out at sunrise and sunset. Definitely a different climate than Maine! Maybe swimming?

[@michaelinejunefrost9437]

You are not just whistlin’ “Deep In The Heart of Texas” Kristin! Welcome to Texas, by the way❣️From June🤠 & Sophie🦮 … in deeeeeep southeast Texas 🏝️🌊☀️🌈

[@littlebears7515]

I work in a university office and will be getting a service dog soon. Do you have any recs for enrichment feeding during the day that wouldn't be super messy?

[@DoggyU]

If possible, bring a crate to work. This is a great way to give your dog a break and have a place you can feed messier enrichment items. And then just be conscious of the smell of whatever you're bringing. Or train your dog that they can only eat it on a special towel. Yak chews are usually good because they don't smell. Also yogurt mixed with kibble in a KONG works well for low odor options. Snuffle mats are also great because there's no mess.

[@littlebears7515]

@@DoggyU Really helpful ideas, thank you!

[@DoggyU]

@@littlebears7515 You're welcome!

[@lindagates2363]

Laura this is off topic but I am searching for the video where you rented a fences in yard to practice recall. What is the name of that service?

[@DoggyU]

Sniffspot! Love them! You can find the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3vdm3qsqMiAkNEsi=lD5qgweGg2rLpQcH

[@selfmadeguy7925]

Do you have any ideas for toys/ puzzles when they have giant kibble, or low frustration thresholds?

[@DoggyU]

Snuffle mats work great for this. I've never found a dog frustrated by a snuffle mat. Admittedly, I've never fed a super large kibble, so we may need to crowdsource this one. That being said, Toppl now makes an XL version. Kibble soaked in a bit of no sodium chicken broth might be a great option. Toppls are also very low frustration: amzn.to/3H9WiPq

[@selfmadeguy7925]

​@@DoggyUthank you! Yeah, we have a few different sizes of toppl, but they're too big of an opening for a "bounce and roll" type lol- we've found 2 or 3 toys that work, some of which came from the hard work of the people over at the company we get her subscription box (durapaw) from, but I'm always on the hunt for more, to keep variety fresh. Luckily Addy doesn't try to eat slow feeder bowls or lick mats like our foster dog does 😅 he also just picks the snuffle mats and eats the food when it falls out. Smart boy! Addy loves problem solving, but she has low frustration thresholds during meal times. We're working on it, but she's a lab, so it's taking a bit of time, I think the frustration comes from over excitement. Also, have you ever worked with a dog who finds enrichment activities surrounding meals aversive? We had the sister of our current foster before we had him, and it took almost a month to get her feeling safe/ comfortable enough to enjoy work to eat projects instead of just shutting down and not eating. I'm always up for sharing my experience if you want (I'm good with email or something too if comments aren't ideal) Thanks again!

[@DoggyU]

@@selfmadeguy7925 We definitely don't want dogs to feel like enrichment is aversive, (which would make it not enriching LOL!) Typically with a dog that's new to the house, it can take a while for them to feel safe, which can definitely contribute to them shutting down when asked to work for food. In that case, find what might be fun for them. Feed out of a bowl if necessary, or even have them chase down their food. I've really never had a dog find a snuffle mat aversive.

[@selfmadeguy7925]

​@@DoggyUit was a first for us, too! We started with a few drops of water in her bowl of kibble, and worked out way from there every few days. We do a long term fostering, so we had the time luckily, but by the time she went to her new home, she was happily eating from many things 😁

[@DoggyU]

@@selfmadeguy7925 Yay! Splitting it down to manageable steps, and patience, for the win!

[@kittys.2870]

My dog eats S L O W

[@DoggyU]

Great! More time for them to use their brain!

[@analarson2920]

Off question…what do you use to keep Jake’s teeth clean now that he’s older? Prayers for a good journey 🙏

[@DoggyU]

Disclaimer: First, I am not a vet so consult with your vet. I personally feed a healthy diet with lots of unprocessed food. I also use this additive: amzn.to/47u1sAl And I use these chews with an occasional small amount of dog toothpaste on them: amzn.to/3vqlCxR

[@Sandy.ESSA.paws.]

❤❤❤ I know this isn’t a service dog video but I need advice and figures you would respond soonest if I wrote in these comments, I am 12 years old and have horrible anxiety and i believe that I am qualified for a service dog. But my parents are saying I am creating problems for myself and I will have no friends. I bring it up with my parents saying I need a service dog and it will benefit me and they shut it down saying I need to wait. I definitely qualify for a Psychiatric service dog. But my parents say no. I currently have a Simone Italiano and I know he is not service dog fit. So I’m not sure what i should do. Please write me back. ❤❤

[@Local_gremlin2009]

Im a few years older than you and I am also prepping for a service dog prospect. I struggle with social interaction and being in public and I often have to get my sister to guide me through crowded spaces. My advice is either spend time to research everything you can even if you think you’ll never need that or start training basic obedience with the dog you already have. Then as you and your dog progress you may find that you’ll be better prepared for a future prospect or your parents may be convinced my what you have to say when they see the training you have done with your dog. Having a service dog is a huge commitment and i can see where your parents may be skeptical when they think about the effort and time and money they will have to put in to that dog with you. My advice for now if research everything and in the future you can make the decision. That is what I am currently doing. I am researching now as I’ll have to wait for a year or so, so that my neice( who lives with me) is safer to have around a dog and so that I don’t have to deal with the stress of training my assistance dog whilst I do my GCSEs. I am going to most likely get a prospect once I finish my GCSEs or after or during A-levels as that seems the most appropriate time for me. Hope I can offer helpful advice and if you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I can answer or direct you to those who can. Bare in mind im based in the UK and I may not be able to answer area specific questions. ❤

[@Sandy.ESSA.paws.]

@@Local_gremlin2009 the only reason is I know my dog isn’t a good prospect is because he doesn’t like training, working and etc.. so even teaching him basic commands is time consuming even when with a normal dog it would take a few minutes.

[@DoggyU]

Unfortunately, I'm not the best person to answer this question, as I don't work with children and service dogs. Service dogs in school settings can be incredibly challenging for a variety of reasons. I recommend you work with your doctor in conjunction with your parents to decide what the best medical intervention is for you. In the meantime, work with the dog you have. Even if they are more challenging to train, that will increase your patience, and your ability to break training down into smaller pieces, work on creating motivation and more. It will also make you a better trainer for your next dog. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[@Sandy.ESSA.paws.]

@@DoggyU thank you this was actually really helpful, I love watching your videos and will take tips even if you think that they may not be that helpful

[@Neon_The_GOAT]

Hello so I Have a question I really need help o this so if you could reply I would be more than happy so I'm 13 and training my own service dog and he is a 8month old Belgian Malinois German shepred mix and he is taking the PAT test at 12months-18months and he only has three things left to work on so I was wondering he is afraid of elevators so how could I make him not be scared of this he doesn't want treats either or anything he just pulls out and shakes, next He is a little distracted be dogs he whines and stares, last when we go to restraint he is jumpy and he know under command put he doesn't like booths its scares him how could I fix this problems???😕😕😕🐕‍🦺

[@DoggyU]

Based on your comment, it sounds like your dog is experiencing a lot of anxiety and fear surrounding being out in public. This could be a fear period or an underlying issue. Either way I would definitely pull them from any public access work and have them evaluated by a professional service dog trainer. It sounds like PAT is too overwhelming for them at this time and that you need in-person professional help to help your dog feel more comfortable in these situations.

[@Neon_The_GOAT]

@@DoggyU All right so I thought you were a service dog trainer and that's why I asked he isn't fearful or has anxiety he loves to work and just doesn't like how elevators and he is a 60-pound dog and is going to be 75-85 pounds, so he usually doesn't go in booths because its crowded for his big self so I won't say he's fearful or has anxiety. I have a private trainer that is helping us with him jumping and puppy biting should I have them help me help him with his elevator fear?

[@DoggyU]

@@Neon_The_GOAT I am a service dog trainer. And as a service dog trainer, I see a lot of dogs who are fearful of a particular thing, like an elevator, and that can be an indication of fear/anxiety of other things, like you mentioned, booths, making it a more overarching problem than just the one thing. Because both are tight spaces, it sounds like he may need to work on getting him comfortable being in tight spaces. Or he may be afraid of the noise of the elevator, or the feeling of it moving. In any event, having your in-person trainer look at the behavior and help you with a training plan would be a good option.

[@Neon_The_GOAT]

@@DoggyU ok yay I personally like chairs more than booths but he does amazing in tight spaces just booths we both don't like them and he doesn't like elevators because of how it moves I have an idea to help him stay calm adn not be scared of them.

[@DoggyU]

@@Neon_The_GOAT I had a dog with similar elevator issues that didn't like the drop. We used a teeter to help get her comfortable. You can see that exercise on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/confidence-and-76522478

[@afronabdo3774]

Does this create an issue with scavenging? I’m waiting on my second guide dog, and they are not to eat from the ground. I’m wondering if you can talk about that. Especially since you are a GDMI. 🙂 👍 PS, can you please please please make more trick videos. Like how to scent Train? Thank you.

[@DoggyU]

Hey Afron! So, I have never found feeding in this manner to be an issue with the guide dogs I've trained or worked with. I know it was typical in the industry a decade or so ago to not train by throwing food on the floor either. But when you have a cue that means "go eat that", and maintain good mechanics, I have not found this to be an issue. But if you're concerned, consider buying a few snuffly mats and distributing the food between different mats around the house. I have a few trick videos on the schedule, but honestly they don't do as well as my other videos for some reason! As far as scent training goes, I'm not an expert in this arena, but I'm trying to do some more collaborations this year, so maybe I can find a scent trainer to do a demo. :)

[@afronabdo3774]

Thank you for your very quick response. I will keep that in mind. I don’t know why your trick videos don’t do well. They are absolutely a gem. I love those.

[@DoggyU]

@@afronabdo3774 I appreciate that! I do have a few lined up in the next couple months, so stay tuned!

[@DoggyU]

@@afronabdo3774 (trick training is my favorite too!)

[@EpsilonAD]

Training tricks helps young Eps cue library grow which seems to help my raw cues be easier for Eps to understand. Tricks you share are fantastic and always helpful. For some reason I think of hinge on the wrong side of door stay spin heel exit (such an awesome and helpful clip) as a trick. Eps seems to be excited when I feel like it is a fun trick. Playful request instead of demand can be such a challenge for this expectation driven in training handler. Tricks as a thought process for the human part of the equation can really make it easier via being fun. The challenge for handler to inspire fun with overwhelming depression can seem impossible. I am so grateful Epsilon loves fun and prompts me to appreciate play. A fantastic AD skill. Thanks again for sharing such practical, useful, kind and effective train the handler tips.

[@EpsilonAD]

Such great tips. Thank you. I noticed raw egg whites in some food items. I have been told never feed dogs raw egg whites due to serious dog health issues with raw egg. Have you heard about this? It might be an urban legend but vet also advised not to ever use raw eggs. Love this channel and the plethora of helpful cue giver advice. Please delete this comment if you fund it not on topic or relevant.

[@DoggyU]

So, I'm not a vet, so you should definitely follow your vet's advice first. I believe he risk for feeding raw eggs is that they (or you) could get salmonella. But I also feed raw, which has the same risk. There's also a risk related to biotin if you feed a lot, but since they only get it occasionally, I'm not personally worried. But definitely follow the advice of a vet or vet nutritionist and not a trainer on the interwebs lol!

[@EpsilonAD]

Thank you for annswering. I will, of coutse talk to the vet about Eps diet and I appreciate your detailed and thoughtful answer. 😎🐾

[@LifeofSuddy]

Was that another costume ❤❤❤