Stop the Dog Begging Habit!
Begging is one of the most frustrating behaviors that a dog of any age can engage in, and you'll find that once he starts, it's almost impossible to get him to stop! It doesn't necessarily mean that your dog is trying to nuzzle up to you for scraps or pawing your leg for attention during mealtimes. Begging can simply mean that your dog is looking up at you wistfully while you eat. While this can be an affecting display, remember that you are already feeding your dog what he needs and that this behavior is unacceptable for a number of different reasons. One thing to keep in mind is that your dog, no matter what his age, will see your family as his pack. To make sure that your dog stays a loving, sweet-tempered pet, it is important to make him aware that he is the lowest ranking member of the family. One way that dogs judge who is in charge of the pack is who eats first. When you give in to his begging and pass him food, he is essentially seeing this as a promotion, that he is gaining dominance over you. Dogs that believe that they are the alpha in their family can become aggressive and pick up behaviors that they did not previously have, like biting or growling. This is why it is very important to make sure that your children do not feed your dog table scraps. Another reason to keep your dog from eating table scraps is that they are simply not good for him. Table scraps are usually high in fats and full of preservatives that your dog will have trouble digesting. If you feed your dog scraps, there is a good chance that he will develop health problems and digestive issues. When you've noticed that your dog has started begging there are a few things that you can do. The first and most simple thing that you can do is remove him from the dining area while you eat. Essentially you are removing temptation from his path and this should effectively stop the behavior. When you are doing this, you can make sure that he understands his place in the pecking order by feeding him after everyone else has eaten. You can put him back in the dining area after the dishes have been cleared, thus making sure that he won't try to get at the scraps. If you put your dog out during mealtimes, try to make sure that he is in a place where he won't smell the food. Ideally, put him out of doors and don't bring him back inside until the food has been cleared from the table. This way, you can also ensure that he works up an appetite before eating. Similarly, when you make sure that your dog eats last, it is emphasizing his position as the omega animal in the pack. A submissive dog will be much less likely to steal food from a dominant one; is only when your dog thinks he has a chance of becoming dominant that he will start to beg for food to assert his new position. If your dog has mastered the sit and stay commands, you can also give him those commands while he is begging. If he can maintain those commands while you eat, you can reward him for his behavior at the end of the meal. This will reinforce the idea that being quiet during mealtimes is behavior that can be rewarded. This is especially a good way to work with puppies and it emphasizes the training you give them. When you are working with your dog, make sure that no one is actually giving him table scraps or treats. This may be difficult if you have guests or if you children just feel sorry for the dog, but be firm. It is important to make sure that your training is consistent. A lot of good training can be undone if your dog receives extra food, no matter who is giving it to him. Your dog does not understand exceptions, all he knows is that he will get scraps no matter what. Emphasize to your family and your friends that feeding your dog table scraps when he begs is quite detrimental to him. Begging for food is an unattractive behavior that can lead to behavioral and health issues. If you see this behavior in your dog, take steps to stop it at once!
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