Lunch Hit the Floor and the Cocker Spaniel Didn't Say a Word

A bitten sandwich lies on the kitchen floor with a bit of lettuce wandering off, and a black Cocker Spaniel sits nearby with a small smile. Her curly ears frame her face and her brown eyes are soft and a little hopeful. The tile floor, the bin and a few shoes by the door make it look like an ordinary house on an ordinary day. One of these things is not supposed to be on the floor.

Cocker Spaniels are gentle, affectionate dogs with silky coats, and many are very focused on food. Their history as bird dogs gave them a strong nose and a love of retrieving, which is why a sandwich on the floor is so appealing. Lunch foods are a mixed bag for dogs, since bread alone is usually fine in small amounts, but onions, garlic, certain deli meats and sweeteners can be harmful. If your dog eats a lot or you are unsure of the ingredients, call your vet.

Teaching a solid leave it and wait gives a dog an easy way to earn rewards when food is around. Eating at the table and keeping plates well back from the edge also helps.

She has the face of a dog who is sure she is innocent. It is hard to be annoyed at a face like that, even with half a lunch on the floor.