Although many pet owners would feed their dog tidbits and treats off the floor, it is a definite no-no and there is no such thing as the mythical five-second rule. If food has been dropped, don't eat it — and certainly don't give it to your dog.
Pack Mentality
Some dogs will just go a short distance away from their dishes and others will go far away or even to a hiding spot such as behind the couch or under the table to eat their food. The biggest reason for this behavior is instinct.
"Not only can elevated feeding bowls be more comfortable for your pet by reducing any strain they may be experiencing from having to bend too far down to get to the bowl, but they may also help to discourage unwanted bowl tossing behaviors."
The Best Option: Pet Platters!
A lot of people focus on what they're feeding their pet, but the how is equally important! Dogs and cats instinctively navigate their food better on a flat surface and it's more natural to be able to pick and choose what they want to eat first.
Both humans and dogs love to snack, so it's easy to feel guilty enjoying a treat in front of your dog, who is suddenly looking extra cute and very hungry. It's okay to give in to those puppy-dog eyes and share your food with your dog.
Your dog may associate her bowl with a traumatic or negative event that took place while she was eating. Your dog's bowl may be in a noisy or uncomfortable location. Bowls that slide across a tile floor may frighten your dog. Your dog might be overfed and not hungry or may be bored with the same food all the time.
Keep your dog's dishware separate from any human dishware or utensils. If you're opting for the dishwasher, first check whether your dog's bowls and platters are dishwasher safe. If so, use dog-friendly dish detergent and start a separate load for your dog's dishware.
Feeding by hand will definitely help dogs who eat too fast. And it's a bonus opportunity for you to get some training in at the same time. Practice some basic obedience skills between feeding your dog small handfuls of her meal.
Still, the association between use of an elevated feeder and incidence of bloat was high, and no evidence supporting the use of elevated feeders to reduce bloat has been put forth. It is, therefore, not currently recommended to use an elevated feeder if you have, or suspect you have a dog that is susceptible to bloat.
Having your dog's bowl higher off the ground puts less strain on your dog's neck. So if your dog is older or struggles with joint or bone issues, elevated bowls are a great way to make them comfortable when they eat. If you have a large or giant breed dog, elevated bowls aren't going to be the best fit.
At one time, elevated dog bowls were thought to help prevent bloat in dogs. Recent research has found that this is not true—in fact, an elevated bowl could increase the risk of bloat. Unless your veterinarian specifically recommends an elevated feeding bowl, it's best not to use one.
Scatter Feeding
You can use a snuffle mat indoors, or just literally scatter food on the floor. Outside you can scatter food in short grass to begin with, then once you have a pro sniffer dog try it in longer grass too. Vary the difficulty and always make sure some of the food is easier to find.
Don't leave food out for your dog to graze on — take it back within 10 minutes if it hasn't been eaten to help cement the idea of mealtimes. Use your dog's kibble as treats, and only offer meals for short periods of time. This leaves your dog no choice but to eat their food and hopefully get used to it.
Human conditioning: Your dog might be eating out of hand because of conditioned behavior created when they were sick or acting picky, during a switch in dog food, or they came from another situation—such as a shelter, foster family, previous owner, or breeder—where hand feeding was the norm.
While those internal parasites we mentioned before, if you ingested, can find their way into your vital organs and cause lots of serious medical issues. No wonder the British Veterinary Association has strictly cautioned against sharing food “on grounds of pet and human health”.
It's probably best to avoid bathing pets in the bathtub (and certainly don't bathe them in the kitchen sink!!), if possible. Bathing pets outside or in the laundry room sink are better ideas, although they're not always practical.
You should wash your dog's food bowl after every meal. You can wash their water bowl less frequently, but you will need to completely empty, sanitize and refill it at least once per week. Water bowls tend to collect a slimy build-up called biofilm, which allows harmful bacteria to take over.
Your Dog Wants to Protect or Hide the Food
Some dogs, particularly those in multi-dog households, may carry their food away as a way to keep it to themselves. Before dogs were domesticated, they often ran in packs. The more subordinate pack members would carry food away to hide it from other members of the pack.
Believe it or not, some dogs can actually be quite scared of their metal food bowl. In some cases, a pup can actually see their reflection while eating out of the bowl. This can be distracting and even, in some cases, produce some level of fear because they're unsure of what that 'other dog' they can see is doing.
Competitive eating
By taking the food out of the bowl, it secures a piece just for them, and even when they no longer have this competition, it's become a habit for them. And if they do still have competition for food, the reasoning is the same.
Dogs can be very messy eaters, spilling food all around the floor and even on the walls, so make sure there's nothing near your dog's eating area that can be damaged. We recommend putting his food bowl near his water bowl, which should always be there, cleaned often and filled with fresh water.
Ignore Him
You can't say "bad dog!" enough to eliminate a natural instinct. Instead, completely ignore his staring. Over time, this may help minimize the behavior.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.