“My Dog Isn’t Food Motivated!” (Yes… They Probably Are)
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“My dog just isn’t food motivated.”
I hear this all the time — and in most cases, it’s not actually true. More often than not, food has simply lost its value to the dog.
The good news? Food motivation can usually be built fairly quickly with the right structure.
Step One: Stop Free Feeding
If food is always available, it stops being meaningful.
Free feeding is one of the biggest reasons dogs appear “not food motivated.” When meals are predictable and limited to specific times, food becomes relevant again.
(Side note on diet) I personally recommend raw, or kibble with a raw topper for more economical reasons. Some fresh, whole food is always best, and most dogs are far more excited to eat it. This approach can also be very helpful for picky eaters.
For picky dogs, here’s a simple rule:
- Food is presented
- If your dog doesn’t eat, it gets picked up
- Try again at the next meal
Dogs learn very quickly what “mealtime” means.
How Often Should You Feed?
A general guideline:
- Puppies: 3 meals per day
- Adult dogs: 2 meals per day
Some adult dogs prefer one meal a day — and that’s okay. Pay attention to what works best for your individual dog.
Use Mealtime for Training
Your dog’s daily food is already a reward — so use it.
Mealtime is an excellent opportunity to train and reinforce behaviours using their regular food. This keeps motivation high and avoids relying on treats all day long.
If your dog still shows zero interest, you can try withholding one breakfast and seeing if they’re willing to work for dinner.
Important note: This is for healthy dogs only. If your dog is underweight, malnourished, or a recent rescue still recovering, this is not the exercise for you.
When food is no longer unlimited, motivation tends to show up quickly.
Increase Value When You Need To
Once you’ve established a solid meal routine, you can raise the stakes with higher-value food when necessary. High motivation treats don’t mean tiny crumbs of a peanut butter cookie from the pet store.
Think real food, such as:
- Cooked chicken (easy to freeze and grab as needed)
- Wieners (yes, the people kind!)
- Cheese
If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, always be cautious. You can also mix small pieces of high-value food into regular dog treats to boost motivation without overdoing it.
The Bottom Line
Most dogs aren’t truly “not food motivated.” They just haven’t learned that food has value.
With a clear meal routine, intentional feeding, and the right rewards, your dog can go from zero motivation to highly food motivated faster than you might expect.
Photo cred: Leanne Whynot Photography