Q: We have a lab and it seems like he eats his food way too fast. Sometimes he'll actually cough up some of it several hours later and it doesn't even look like it's been digested much. We thought it was a diet problem at first so we tried out special foods from our vet but it didn't effect it at all. Our vet also told us to make sure we only feed him when he is calm so we've been doing that but it doesn't seem like that's made any difference either. Is there any way we can train him to eat slower or something? It just seems like he is scarfing it down too quickly for his stomach to hold it.
- Jeni, Seattle

A: Superb question! Would you consider experimenting with bowl-less feeding? For instance, if you feed your dog kibble, spread his meal ration across the lawn (or in his crate, on the patio, etc.) and have him hunt for every morsal. This will both slow him down and provide mental stimulation as part of the exercise. I've also been known to mix kibble in my dogs' toy baskets and watch them problem-solve their eating strategies (also interesting and entertaining from a human standpoint!). Kongs are fantastic tools for both wet and dry food, as are a multitude of other slow-release food dispensers. If your dog is in training, there are endless ways to use meals to promote learning, and as your veterinarian suggested, some of these exercises could be teaching the dog to eat calmly under your guidance. Have fun with it - of course, I'm always happy provide assistance catered to your situation.