The Kitchen Is For Food And People, Not For Dogs

Kitchen activities are centered around food, and food is an instinctual reward for dogs.

Over the years, I have observed that dogs who are given a boundary line at the entrance of the kitchen, and are not allowed in the kitchen, have better behavior both in and outside the household. Why am I bringing this to your attention? Because I can't argue with the results.

Dogs are absolutely driven by food. Even a dog that seems to be disinterested in his food dish that he has full access to will do anything for a chicken breast if he is exhausted and hungry enough. If food is a reward for your dog, they should only receive it once they've worked for it.

I am a firm believer in the "no free lunch policy" when it comes to working with dogs. They appreciate what they earn, so if they get something for nothing, they don't appreciate it. Beyond the fact that when dogs are allowed into the kitchen space, they have access to food that falls on the floor, there are many other parts that play into their psychological health when there is a kitchen boundary set. Dogs who respect boundaries set by you will also respect boundaries set by acquaintances.

Does your dog get in your way while you're cooking / cleaning in the kitchen? If the answer is yes, you are actually catering to their boundaries by moving around them and dealing with the inconvenience rather than expecting that they move around you and respect your boundary. The main idea I'm attempting to communicate to you here is that your dog is looking to you for a clear understanding of your boundaries, so being clear with them and setting your boundaries is the best thing you can do for them.