How To Stop Your Pet Dog From Begging

My observation of many of my friends with pet dogs has convinced me that begging for food is one of the behavioral problems of pet dogs. Some encourage this habit by giving table-scraps to their pet that sits beside their chair on the ground looking with big puppy eyes, while others realize and make been making efforts to discipline their pet. 

Ways to stop your pet dog from begging:

• It is very important to observe your dog’s begging action; note down how your dog begs, how often he does it, does he beg more than he eats his food and what are the moves that give him the maximum attention. Taking notice of your dog's key moves helps.

• It is time to get serious and take action; stop thinking that your pet’s behavior was cute or funny.  Do not give your dog any food when it begs; once you offer your pet food off the table, they feel motivated to ask again and again. 

• You could only be successful in stopping begging when you get all your family members involved and lay ground rules that no one will give in to the dog’s begging. Ask them to ignore the dog’s begging. If any of your family members is tempted to give in, firmly remind and stop them. Apply the same ground rule to your visitors also; ask them to not give in to begging or acknowledge the begging habit of the pet. This could motivate the dog to start begging again.

• Ignore your pet dog if he is begging at the dinner table. Avoid looking into the dog’s eyes as it would tempt you to give him food and your attention would only encourage the behavior. Do not feel bad as the dog gets its own food and is cared for; this behavior is advantageous to both of you. This attitude would convey the message to your pet canine that begging is useless and he would not get what he craves for.

• Ignore your pet dog fully and neither talk to them nor about them; however you could ask your dog to leave if that would help. It is also futile to tell your dogs, “spot” as the pet would receive the message that you would reward him some food if he lies in his dog bed.

• Take this tip; neither lure your dog to sit next to you for food nor tease your dog with food. This would encourage begging in your pet dog.

• Consistency works to stop the habit of begging in your pet dog; once you don’t give in to begging, always don’t. Be patient, it would take some time; if your pet is still crazy or noisy you could put him in another room till meals are over.  

Have you been successful in stopping your dog from begging?


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