How To End Your Dogs Food Begging

Begging usually becomes a habit if you feed the dog from the table when he begs. He wont leave the table if hes reinforced for staying with tidbits. Command the dog to "settle" at the table and enforce it. Hell tire of staring up and will soon fall asleep if you dont reward him for begging. If you give the dog a scrap from the table, give it only when hes in a settle position.

Some dogs are just born optimistic, and even though they have never received food from the table, they plant themselves at the table, hoping something will fall their way. Dropped food is a good beggar reinforcement, especially if you have a child who likes to make a game of dropping food on purpose. You may choose to train the dog to settle or down-stay in another room or at a distance from the table.

The dog must never bite the hand that feeds. To make sure that he doesnt, teach him the command "easy." Offer him a treat by holding the treat in your thumb and index finger keeping your palm toward your body and your knuckles facing the dog. If the dog grabs for the treat, give him a very loud and firm command by saying "Easy". After a few rounds of this practice, he will generally take the food from your hand gently.

-- Dick Colman

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