Introducing Your Dog to a New Water Bowl
Most dogs will take to the bowl naturally, and pretty quickly but don’t worry if you need to offer a little encouragement at first (especially if they have never used a bowl like this before!)
This guide is based on our experience and will help you smoothly transition your dog to using the new water bowl and ensure they adapt quickly.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location
Place the new water bowl in a familiar and accessible spot. If you’re replacing an old bowl, put the new bowl in the same location as the old one. Dogs are creatures of habit, and maintaining consistency will help them feel more comfortable.
Step 2: Prepare the New Bowl
Before introducing the bowl to your dog, ensure it is clean and ready for use:
Wash the bowl with warm water to remove any packaging odors. Our bowls are packed clean and ready to go, but dogs have an incredible sense of smell, washing it will help the dog smell the home water!
Rinse thoroughly and fill it with fresh, cool water.
Step 3: Allow Exploration
Let your dog investigate their new bowl on their own terms. Encourage curiosity by placing the bowl where they can see and sniff it.
Don’t rush this process—dogs often need time to familiarize themselves with new objects. Especially with step 4!
Step 4: Use Positive Reinforcement
Encourage your dog to use the new bowl by associating it with positive experiences:
Reward with Treats: Place a small treat near or in the bowl to draw their attention. Praise them warmly when they approach or interact with the bowl.
Praise and Encouragement: Speak in a happy, encouraging tone when your dog uses the bowl. Positive reinforcement helps them associate the bowl with good things.
Step 5: Make It Appealing
For extra motivation try adding a treat to the float to help your dog initially locate the water and associate the bowl positively.
If your dog needs extra motivation, try these tricks:
Add a small amount of chicken broth or salmon oil to the water to make it more enticing for the first day or so.
Lay a treat on the float near the water, this helps your dog locate the water and associate the bowl positively.
Ensure the bowl is always filled with clean, fresh water to encourage regular drinking.
Clean the bowl daily to keep water fresh.
Step 6: Transition Gradually (If Needed)
If your dog is reluctant to use the new bowl, try these gradual steps:
Reduce Access to the Old Bowl: Over time, reduce the amount of water in the old bowl to encourage your dog to switch to the new one.
Remove the Old Bowl: Once your dog consistently drinks from the new bowl, you can remove the old one entirely.
By following these steps, your dog will quickly adapt to their new water bowl. It is very important to be patient with your dog, but trust the process and your dog will soon love their new water bowl!
Troubleshooting!
Bowl Tipping
Our bowl can do its job very well, but like everything, it has limits! Excitable and extra curious dogs may want to explore the bowl when first introduced, and, in some situations may want to lift up the bowl from the bottom!
This is not easy to do as the bowl is heavy, however it is worth bearing in mind that once the excitement and exploration is over this is not something to worry about in the long run.
Paws In The Bowl
Some dogs are extra cautious around new things, and we once had a Chocolate Labrador who during the first half hour of bowl introduction kept pressing the float down.
Whilst rare, if your dog does this we recommend offering no encouragement to avoid it turning into a game. Eventually most dogs will naturally stop this behaviour and use the bowl normally.
Extra Nervous Dog?
The bowl is different and contains less water on the surface which minimises splashing and gulping. If your dog is prone to nervousness around new things they may take a little encouragement to use the bowl.
We recommend making the bowl more appealing, such as adding chicken broth, or salmon oil to the water! We have used this trick during photoshoots if we need the dog to drink on queue and it works an absolute treat!
You could also try this:
Putting the new bowl in the same spot where the old one was. Change as little as possible!
Going for a walk, exercise and back home, straight to the bowl for a drink, followed by praise and a treat! - This works amazingly!
Washing the bowl before use helps the scent match the house.
