1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
On gulping food
Dog Trainer Auckland
November 18, 2025
1 Tip - on life with your dog
Does your dog hardly breathe when they eat, inhaling their food in the blink of an eye? Help them feel secure and calm at mealtimes by making their food an interesting challenge they need to work for —use a slow feeder, scatter feed, or any other creative delivery method of their food. This addresses both the pace and any underlying stress, turning mealtime into a mentally rewarding experience.
1 Idea - on the leading edge
Unusually fast eating can be normal for some breeds (I'm thinking of you, Lab), or it can indicate stress and anxiety.
1. Dogs that have experienced resource competition may feel pressure to eat quickly.
2. A stressed or anxious dog may remain alert, eating quickly to finish, then returning to scan the environment.
3. Some dogs experience mealtimes themselves as high-arousal events due to boredom or understimulation.
To help address these issues, try providing an opportunity to quietly sniff out their food and work to access it. This can have tremendous calming effects.
1 Quote - on dogs
Beneath every behaviour is a feeling. And beneath every feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behaviour, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom. Ashleigh Warner
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