The dog is a greedy and opportunistic animal. Thus, once he had food on the table once, he would stop begging only to receive other leftovers from family members. However, it is important not to let the habit take hold and quickly treat it if it seems already well established, because the situation can become painful very quickly, and even unbearable for you and your loved ones.
Why this precaution? How do you explain this situation on the part of your little buddy? How do you teach him to stop his constant requests for food when you’re at the table? Let’s examine the question in this file.
Why does a dog beg for food when its masters are at the table?
It is easy and almost automatic to think that a dog who begs for a table does so because he is hungry. However, this reason is rarely the first. Being a greedy animal, the dog is often thrown to the table because he was already able to get food by this means, having asked for it or not. However, that little bit of relief quickly becomes a dog habit! It must be said that there is a reason, because we, too, human beings, tend to value certain pleasant items to the point of seeking to form habits out of them. Our canine friends are as pushy as we are at this point! The tantalizing smell of food is a real dog magnet, and if he knows he can get a little piece of it, why not ask?
If you decide to stop feeding your dog when he begs the table, he will gradually lose the habit. He may need time, which is why you will need to be patient and above all more stubborn than him. Your dog will undoubtedly try to lull you with whining, turning eyes at you or by other means – including barking – but you must resist the urge to give in and above all ignore his urgent requests. Don’t forget that by refusing to serve him food at the table, you are doing him a favor! Also, your dog is unable to identify exceptions. If he is used to getting satisfied at home, he will repeat his requests anywhere, including when you are invited somewhere or in the presence of your guests at home, even if it means annoying everyone!
Of course, as with any in-house learning or rule, it’s essential to be consistent. Subsequently, It is essential that all family members strictly follow the same rule. If you decide not to give your dog anything else to eat when he’s begging for the table, no other family member should detract from that by offering him leftovers, even in secret.
It should be noted that getting the desired food is a reward for the dog. So, even if I resisted for a while, the fact of finally giving up reinforces his behavior. With this gesture—knowing that you might be giving in to get the peace—you’re telling him he was right in the question and you’re rewarding him for his persistence. It’s a vicious cycle, because your animal will then have no reason to stop his requests because he’ll end up getting that little piece of meat or that other tempting food he craves because of his stubbornness.
Why teach your dog not to beg at the table?
At first, you may find it nice for your dog to come over to ask for a little food when you’re at the table. And then one day, you’ll find it hard to put up with that behavior and its aftermath. An established habit is difficult to get rid of, but it is nevertheless necessary to overcome it, unless you immediately avoid the bad behavior.
In fact, if you are used to the fact that your little buddy asks for a few leftovers when you eat, know that it is better for you and him and for many other reasons to make him lose the habit. Here are the main reasons:
- You are putting your dog at risk of being overweight and obese because this food is being eaten in addition to its daily ration.
- You risk giving your pet food that is dangerous to his health. If you are careful, your children or guests may give him leftovers that are harmful to his well-being, without them knowing it.
- Your dog will get used to presenting himself on your plates. Once you turn your back, he can take food scraps or lick them off.
- Your dog will develop bad habits to get what he wants when you are late to his service. He might start barking, whining, scratching your thigh, staring at you insistently, getting your attention by destroying things or disturbing your other animals, etc.
- Your dog will repeat his behavior with your guests, a situation that can be awkward, even really awkward and unpleasant for your guests who are not comfortable in the presence of a dog.
- You are sending an incoherent message to your dog, because by giving him food when he asks for it, he will conclude that you are rewarding him for his insistent behavior. He will retain the idea that perseverance allows him to obtain satisfaction in all circumstances.
- Refusing to feed him this way when you are at the table forces you to be in control. You explain to him in this way that everyone has their own bowl and that it is important to respect it as well as your bowl. You are not going to help yourself from his bowl, so don’t let your little buddy help yourself from your bowl, because you will put yourself in a position of being in control.
How do you teach your dog not to beg when you are at the table?
Here are our tips for teaching your pet to stop begging when you’re at the table.
Tip #1: Never give up!
Of course, it is essential that you never start! Never feed your dog when you are at the table, whether he asks for it or not. Like we said, this attitude on your part lacks consistency. If you give him your leftovers or share your plate with him, he’ll have no reason to believe you won’t do it again, so he’ll ask you over and over again.
Each family member and all of your guests must inevitably respect the instructions for this rule to be consistent. Your dog is not able to make exceptions, so any chance will be good for him and it will become a normal condition that is hard to get rid of.
Of course, you will likely consult this file to break this habit that is already ingrained in your dog. Hence, the following advice should be applied when the situation is frequent.
Tip #2: Ignore it
Your dog needs to break the habit of begging at the table and understand that he doesn’t have to decide when or how to get your attention. So you should start communication, which is a fundamental principle of developing a healthy and balanced relationship with your dog, based on trust and respect. You are the master, so you decide. a period.
As a result, and as with all learning, ignorance is the best way to stop bad behavior. Of course, ignoring him means: not looking at him, not talking to him, not touching him. In other words, act as if your dog does not exist. It is even better to turn your back completely.
Ignorance is a punishment for your dog. Without violence or pain, it is very effective, because the dog quickly understands that his attempts are futile and will end up giving up on his own. On the other hand, completely ignore him for this kind of request, and you don’t end up giving up, because you would have lost the battle. be patient !
If your children feel pity for the dog, suggest that they put the leftovers (no abuse) they want to give him on a plate in the center of the table. You can then serve it to your dog when you have finished your meal and everyone has left the table. Of course, make sure that these foods are safe for him.
Tip #3: Send it to your basket
It is helpful to teach your dog to go to his basket with a simple command. If he bothers you by begging during your meals, you can order him to go there while eating to be calmer.
This arrangement is easy to learn. Give your dog the command “To the basket!” or “In your place!” Pointing to the basket with his hand. Once his four paws are in his basket, reward him with a reward. Your dog should learn to stay there for as long as you decide to, in particular by teaching him “not to move!”.
Tip #4: Teach him the command “Leave!”
You can teach your little buddy the command “Go!” Which teaches him to stay away from his target.
This should be learned here again in a positive, didactic manner. Put a reward in each of your hands. Approach your dog’s hand and say “You’re leaving!” when he is interested. Once he gets away, reward him with another reward. Repeat the procedure until perfect. This will be helpful in getting the dog off your plate.
Tip #5: Feed your dog before you do
To reduce the risk of ordering during your meal, have your dog eat before you do so. Give him his serving at least an hour before you start your meal, because he’ll feel good and fully digested when you sit down to eat.
Tip #6: Allow him to exercise before a meal
Offer your dog to exercise before your meal. Walking, playing or exercising will stimulate and tire him out. He will likely fall asleep when you sit down to eat, which will allow you to eat calmer food.