How to Get Your Dog to Stop Begging for Food
When your dog is just a puppy, that’s the ideal time to train them that food begging is a no-no. However, most of us end up in the situation that a grown dog wasn’t given those lessons. Follow the guide below to thwart a dog’s begging behavior.
1. Deny them access
New trainers often do the wrong thing and give in to the begging of puppies. Regardless of the size of their eyes, getting them to not have the behavior in the first place, requires strict adherence to never giving in. The easiest way to do that is to not provide access to the dining room while eating, and also to not leave chairs out so they can’t hop up on the table.
Try using a baby gate to keep your dog in another room or crate him during meals. You could also try giving your dog a favorite toy or a bone to play with at the same time you eat your meals.
2. Teach Your Dog to Stay
One of the best ways to deter a dog is by teaching him the “stay” command, something which will also be effective in other situations, and best it isn’t that difficult to teach.
When you tell him or her firmly to “stay” in a spot, reward them for doing so. Try not to punish for not doing so. If done gradually, they will understand what you want them to do.
3. Don’t Give In
Dogs won’t learn they think certain behavior is okay sometimes and sometimes not. If you give in when they whine or bark or stare with wide eyes at you while you’re eating, then they will try that behavior all the time.
4. You Don’t Need to Withhold “Human Food”
Dogs don’t necessarily know the difference between human food and dog food. To them, it’s all food! Dogs don’t learn to beg simply from giving them human food, but in fact, some of those foods, can be an extremely effective way of training for good behavior. It’s not the food itself that causes the begging.
5. Don’t Yell at Your Dog
Raising your voice or speaking to your dog in an aggressive manner often only confuses your dog. Yelling won’t create the behavior you want because making your dog unhappy causes training to falter. To help them understand what you’re asking him to do, just be calm, firm, and persistent. Eventually they get it.
If you have any more questions on how you can learn effective training techniques which will lead to a happier life for both you and your dog, contact us below. We’d be happy to help!