A few years ago, I worked with a shepherd mix who “had too much energy.”
He paced at night. Barked at shadows. Shredded paper towels if left alone. He walked two miles a day and went on regular runs.
He also inhaled his dinner in under sixty seconds.
Bowl down.
Food inhaled.
Nothing left to do.
We changed one thing: he stopped eating from a bowl.
Within two weeks, his evenings were quieter.
Not because he was exhausted.
Because his brain finally had something to do.
Dogs Are Wired to Earn
There’s a fascinating concept in animal behavior called contrafreeloading.
In simple terms, it means this:
When given the choice between free food and food that requires effort, many animals choose to work for it.
Researchers have observed this across species — from rodents to primates — and dogs are no exception. When identical food is available in two forms, one freely accessible and one that requires solving a simple task, many animals repeatedly choose the option that involves effort.
That seems backward... Why work when you don’t have to? Because the act of seeking is reinforcing in itself.
In Canine Enrichment for the Real World, the authors describe how earning food activates the SEEKING system in the brain — a dopamine-driven system tied to curiosity and motivation.
The reward isn’t just the food. The reward is the process of getting there.
When a dog sniffs for scattered kibble or works through a puzzle, they complete a natural sequence:
Forage → Seek → Solve → Consume
A bowl skips almost all of that.
Efficient? Yes.
Fulfilling? Not really.
The Brain on “Earned” Food
When a dog sniffs for scattered kibble or works through a puzzle:
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The olfactory system activates
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Problem-solving circuits engage
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Dopamine rises during the search phase
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Success completes a natural behavioral loop
Contrast that with bowl feeding:
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Minimal sniffing
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No problem-solving
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No anticipation cycle
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Immediate consumption
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Abrupt end to the behavior sequence
It’s the difference between solving a puzzle and being handed the answer. Dogs are wired to forage, track, search, and consume. When we feed exclusively from a bowl, we remove most of that sequence.
We create efficiency, but we remove purpose.
And purpose matters.
Mental Stimulation for Dogs Isn’t Extra — It’s Foundational
Many “high energy” dogs aren’t under-exercised. They’re under-engaged. When dogs don’t get daily opportunities to forage and problem-solve, that drive redirects.
It shows up as:
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Reactivity
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Counter surfing
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Demand barking
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Shredding
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Restlessness at night
Food enrichment for dogs isn’t trendy. It’s biological. And the best part? You’re already feeding them.
What Changes When You Ditch the Bowl
When dogs begin earning their food, you’ll often see:
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Slower eating
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Better focus during training
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Increased confidence
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Calmer transitions after meals
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Fewer nuisance behaviors
This isn’t about making life harder.
It’s about restoring a missing behavior sequence:
Forage → Seek → Solve → Consume
When that loop is satisfied daily, many dogs feel more settled. Not because they’re exhausted — but because they’re fulfilled.
How to Feed a Dog Without a Bowl
Keep it simple.
Scatter Feed
Toss kibble into grass or across the floor. Let your dog sniff and search.
Sniffing regulates the nervous system. For reactive or anxious dogs, this alone can shift the tone of the day.
Use Meals for Training
Instead of placing food in a bowl, use those calories for:
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Loose leash walking
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Recall games
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Pattern games
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“Place” work
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Impulse control
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You’re not adding extra treats. You’re reallocating what they’re already eating.
This is also where setup matters. Having a structured way to carry and access food — especially on walks — makes this sustainable. (Our treat pouch was created for this!)
Add Simple Food Puzzles
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Kongs
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Toppls
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Snuffle mats
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Rolled towels
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Cardboard boxes
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Start easy, then build difficulty as your dog learns.
Contrafreeloading works when the task is achievable. Make it too difficult and frustration replaces curiosity, but an appropriate level of challenge builds engagement.
“But My Dog Would Just Choose the Bowl”
At first? Maybe... especially if that’s all they’ve known.
Contrafreeloading doesn’t mean dogs instantly choose effort. It means that when effort is doable and rewarding, engagement becomes reinforcing.
Build the skill. Let them succeed.
A Better Question
Instead of asking,
“How do I tire my dog out?”
Try asking,
“How do I give my dog something meaningful to do?”
When you ditch the bowl, you move from feeding to engaging. You stop handing over calories. You start building regulation, confidence, and communication.
That’s not a small shift. It’s foundational.