START YOUNG

As much as we want to give everything to our animal companions, we should always keep in mind that there is a big difference between loving them and spoiling them. As a dog mom of eight, I didn’t experience having to deal with picky eaters, thanks to habit and discipline.

At a young age, my canine companions had regular meal times. I would remove their food bowl 30 minutes after meals, whether or not there were leftovers. Table food was never a part of their diet. Instead of using dog treats during training, I preferred praises as positive reinforcement!

There are times when one of them would skip a meal. Instead of giving in to their demands, I would stand my ground and offer a similar meal once it was time for them to eat once again. Thankfully, they would end up eating what was offered. Still, I made sure to keep an eye out for other symptoms, in case they might be sick.