One of my son’s favorite jobs is helping feed the dogs. When we’re outside, he loves “watering” them—walking around with bowls and making sure everyone gets a turn. He’ll do this over and over, and the dogs absolutely love it.

Feeding time often gets framed as stressful or high-risk, and I see a lot of anxiety around trying to “prevent problems before they start.” But in trying to control every outcome, we sometimes create more tension than necessary.

Instead, I like to keep things calm and simple. My son helps with the neutral parts—he fills the bowls with food while I do the delivering. If we’re using treats, he tosses them gently or places them nearby, rather than handing them directly. The water delivery service he provides is a perfect, more neutral activity where he finally gets to deliver. It’s all about finding a balance: respecting the dog’s space while still building healthy, positive anticipation in the dog.