| Human tastes differ from one person to the | | | | There is no nutritional value in people food |
| next, but dogs aren't as picky. A dog will | | | | for dogs. Traditional dog food is a perfect |
| eat anything and everything that is offered. | | | | mix of fat, protein and other food |
| When it's just the family at the table, this | | | | categories. This gives dogs a balanced diet |
| is not a problem. Food intake can be kept an | | | | and can not be duplicated with people food |
| eye on. When dinner guests are present, it's | | | | table scraps. |
| a whole other ball game. Dogs begging | | | | |
| behavior can be an embarrassment. The logical | | | | Train a dog not to beg in much the same way |
| step is to teach your dog not to beg! | | | | as any other training: voice commands. Simple |
| | | | commands such as "go", "sit" and "stay" work |
| The initial step is basic: do not start the | | | | in begging training as well. Resist the urge |
| bad habit of begging in the first place. | | | | to reward good behavior with a treat. This |
| | | | will go against everything you are working to |
| In the dog world, there is a hierarchy. The | | | | teach your dog. |
| alpha dog is top notch and all other dogs | | | | |
| follow along as the beta dogs. With eating, | | | | If voice commands prove ineffective, try |
| the alpha dog goes first. Then, if the alpha | | | | leash training. For leash training at the |
| dog permits, the beta dogs eat. Alpha dogs | | | | dinner table, there will be some ingenuity on |
| will deny permission to eat by snarling, | | | | your part. Wrap the leash around a table leg, |
| growling or snapping at dogs. | | | | empty chair or sturdy pole in the room. |
| | | | Gently tug the leash towards you. As you do, |
| Acting as the alpha dog in your house will | | | | it will pull the dog away on the other end. |
| set this tone. As the alpha, you will be in | | | | Be careful to remain gently in nature. Harsh |
| control of the food access. Giving in too | | | | tugs could lead to neck injuries on the dog. |
| easy signals to the dog you are not a strong | | | | |
| alpha. The dog will simply take over and | | | | Make the training a family affair by |
| start begging. Do not encourage this. | | | | enlisting the help of other family members. |
| | | | Once seated at the table, you can begin to |
| Consistency is next. Do not allow the dog to | | | | eat. When the dog makes a move for your |
| beg some times and then deny at others. A dog | | | | plate, give a voice command. The other person |
| can not comprehend the difference. | | | | simply tugs at the leash. After a few tries, |
| Frustration will creep in as you have to | | | | the dog will associate the voice command with |
| constantly redirect the dog's behaviors. | | | | physical reaction. |
| | | | |
| Natural instinct is for dogs to follow smell. | | | | Patience and persistence is the key to |
| When food smells fill the air, dogs know food | | | | success here. After awhile, your dog will get |
| is not far behind. Allowing the dog to act on | | | | the clues that begging from the table does |
| this instinct will turn a pleasurable | | | | not bring the rewards it use to. Life in the |
| experience for them into an undesired habit | | | | wild may be better, but training is easier at |
| for you. | | | | home. |
| | | | |