A quick heads up about those new automatic treat dispensers

I got one of those fancy treat dispensers you can control with your phone for my dog, Max. After a week, I noticed he was getting really anxious and pacing near it all day, waiting for the next treat. The vet told me yesterday that setting random intervals, like the app suggests, can actually cause stress because dogs can't predict the reward. She said to stick to a set schedule, like every two hours during the day, so they feel secure. Has anyone else's pet had a weird reaction to these gadgets?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_johnson1mo ago

My old lab had the same issue with random drops. @jesse_williams62 might have a point about some dogs, but a set schedule fixed her anxiety in two days. The vet's advice is solid for most pets.

jesse_williams621mo ago

But what if the random schedule is actually better for some dogs? My friend's terrier gets bored with predictable routines and the random treats keep him more alert and engaged. It's like a little game for him. Maybe the problem is the type of dog, not the gadget itself. Max might just be a more nervous pup.

king.aaron1mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly I used to think random was more fun for them too. But seeing how stressed my own dog got with the surprise drops changed my mind completely.