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An older man in a brown cardigan cooks a pancake in a skillet while a red merle Australian Shepherd sits and watches. 10 / 32

The First Pancake Always Goes to the Cook. Maple Has Other Plans for It.

AI imageaustralian shepherdpancakeskitchen

Saturday breakfast is underway in a warm wood-cabinet kitchen. Kenji, in a brown cable-knit sweater and glasses, slides a spatula under a perfectly golden pancake sizzling in the skillet, a bunch of bananas waiting nearby for topping duty. Down at his side sits Maple, posture perfect, nose pointed toward the pan and eyes locked on the prize. She is not begging exactly. She is simply making herself available, in case anyone needs help with quality control. A lamp glows in the next room, a potted plant sits on the counter, and a dish towel hangs from the oven door.

Sitting politely instead of jumping or barking for food is a skill many families work on, and rewarding calm behavior is one of the best ways to build it. If you want to share, a small bite of plain cooked pancake is generally not harmful for most healthy dogs, but extras like syrup, butter, and chocolate chips are a different story. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and some sugar-free syrups and baked goods contain xylitol, a sweetener that is very dangerous for them. Plain banana slices in moderation are a popular, dog-friendly treat. Kitchens also hold hot pans and handles that stick out, so teaching your dog a spot to wait a few feet from the stove keeps everyone safer.

The first pancake of the morning traditionally belongs to the cook. In this house, though, it looks like Maple may have already negotiated a small share.

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