How to stop a dog from begging at the dinner table is a common question we try to answer with the following tips.

At first, the begging of your dog at the table may look sweet, but over time this often develops into an unpleasant and annoying habit. If your four-legged friend does not only raise his paw, but starts to bark, yelp or scratch, then you will clearly not be able to enjoy a quiet and relaxed meal anymore.

If you follow a few rules, it is possible to break the habit even after many years of adulthood.

1. No food from the table

If you want to get your dog to stop begging, one of the most important rules to follow is to stop handing him food from the table. Only when he knows that he cannot get food from the table, then he will adjust his behavior over time.

You can also try to prevent the habit from forming. You should not give your dog food from the table in the first place to avoid the start of this behavior. Only when your four-legged friend learns that he cannot expect any food from the dining table an improvement will take place.

If you teach a dog already when he is a puppy then you can prevent obtrusive begging in the first place. It should be noted that it is completely natural for small dogs when they beg for food. As a result, a very young dog can try out many different strategies to get food from the table. If his desire is not fulfilled then your four-legged friend will not get used to bagging.

2. Never give in

It is particularly important in dog training to never give in. If your dog succeeds once only once, he will continue to beg. This makes it harder and, above all, more tedious to break your friend’s begging habit. The more reliable you are, the more likely your dog will get used to the new rules.

To get the desired food, your dog needs to get your attention. Begging dogs can be very imaginative when it comes to achieving their goals. But no matter what your pet may do, you should ignore all attempts and stick to your education concept.

This not only implies ignoring yowls or imploring looks, but also to avoid laughing and smiling. As soon as your dog notes that he can get your attention through his behavior, he will continue to try his luck. If you disregard him and his behavior he will give up eventually.

3. Do not cuss

Many dog owners tend to raise their voice to prevent him from begging. In most cases this will lead to a feeling of success for the dog, because he will feel noticed and honored through the attention you give him. It is better to remain calm and consistent. A clear “no” should be sufficient to alert your dog to the fact that his behavior is not acceptable.

4. Assign a resting place

Staying consistent is often easier said than done. Especially in families with dogs that have shown begging behaviors over a long period, the behavior will surely intensify after the first unsuccessful attempts. Not infrequently, a dog starts to scratch or whine loudly, in order to get to his goal. In these cases, it can be helpful if you assign a permanent resting place to your dog. He should stay at this place for every meal and during the entire mealtime of the family. Make sure to keep him busy with a toy or anything that occupies him.

A good resting place is a little further from your eating area, but still within sight of the table. This allows your dog to observe what is happening, and you can access him if he wants to get up. Through rewards, you can also train him to learn that he is more likely to receive a treat if he uses the allocated space during mealtime and not when he tries to beg at the table.

5. Patience and perseverance

One of the most important basic rules to stop a dog from begging at the dinner table is surely that you should always be patient and persevering. It may take a long time for your dog to stop his unwanted behavior. It can help to keep the goal in mind. Just imagine how relaxed the meal time can be in the future, if you can sit at the table in peace and without disturbances.

Conclusion of how to stop a dog from begging at the dinner table

It takes time, persistence and a strong will. These are 5 proven this that, when applied with consistence, should help you and your furry friend to get rid of this annoying habit. 

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