Introductory Feeding

[amurray]

Every dog I've brought into our home (BC or otherwise) will only eat from my hand the first few days, never from their bowl. They will stand looking at the bowl but won't eat until I pick up food and hold it in an open palm under their noses. Then they eat from my hand but not the bowl. The dogs transition to the bowl within 2-3 days.

This has happened so many times that I assume it to be normal behavior. My question: In doing this am I reinforcing any negative behaviors?

[BayouBCR]

I've rarely run into problems with getting new dogs - my own or fosters - to eat out of a bowl, but a little hand feeding doesn't generally hurt. As long as the dogs are transitioning over to eating out of the bowl on their own after a short adjustment period, I don't see it being a problem.

[lexio2]

i actually think it can be a good experience as the new dog is automatically looking to you for food.