Table begging can be harmful to your dogs
Table begging is more than just an annoyance. It can be potentially harmful to your dog.
Dogs who are frequently fed at the table can suffer any of the following
problems:
Obesity, choking on bones, hyperactivity and anxiety and
even seizures: A possible result if chocolate, which contains theobromine, is
consumed, and bad behavior.
Table begging needs to end before it begins
Dogs beg at the table because we let them and it only takes
one time for the habit to begin. Unfortunately, attention-getting behaviors
like begging don't have to be indulged often to become a bad habit. The most
effective way to get a dog to stop begging at the table is to completely ignore
him, a task that's often easier said than done. This means not talking to the
animal or even making eye contact. By scolding your dog, it scares them and
engages them. They might not understand the difference.
Teach your dog to go to specific spot when you eat dinner
Try teaching your dog to go to a designated spot, usually a
bed or a mat, and stay there. This skill can be useful in a variety of other
situations, too. If you’re watching a movie with friends and you’d like your
dog to occupy herself for a while, you can ask her to go to her spot and chew a
bone. If your dog jumps up on people when they come to the door, you can ask
her to go to her spot whenever the doorbell rings and wait there to greet
visitors. If you take your dog somewhere with you, you can bring her bed or mat
and have her settle on it when you need her to be calm and quiet. Leave a chew bone or toy there to keep your
dog occupied and distracted.
Your dog’s table begging will get worse before it get better
Expect your dog's begging to get worse before it gets
better. If whining at a low volume doesn't result in food, he'll think he isn't
trying hard enough and turn it up and start howling. As unpleasant as this may
be for a few days, stand firm. Eventually, your dog will realize that his
efforts no longer work.
However, if you train your dog consistently, you should see
positive results within several weeks. Consistency is the key. Even one tiny
snack from the table here and there can erase everything you've worked so hard
to achieve. Even the smallest morsel can turn a trained dog back to a begging
dog! And make sure all family members
and dinner guests understand what you're doing and why you're doing it, so no
one sneaks your dog a treat when they think you're not looking.
Here are a few more tips to stop your dog from begging:
- Feed your dog at the same time you eat. If your dog is enjoying his own food, he can't beg for yours.
- Give him something else to do. Try sticking some healthy treats stuffed in a few Kong toys so he'll have something to play with while you eat.
- If your dog has been crate-trained, place him in his crate to prevent him from begging at the table. But, the goal is to have your dog nearby and not begging, so this would only be on a trial basis.
- Take your dog for a long walk just before dinner. If the dog is worn out, the intensity of the begging behavior will decrease. Tired dogs are better behaved dogs.
You can still feed your dog human food at the correct time
Some people worry that feeding their dogs’ human food
(anything except dog food and treats made for dogs) will encourage begging at
the table. But when teaching a dog new skills or treating certain behavior
problems, using treats like small pieces of chicken, cheese or beef can
accelerate the training process. Luckily, dogs can learn very specific rules.
It’s okay to give your dog foods you eat, too. Just avoid feeding your dog from
the table so your pup learns that she never gets human food in that context.
