There are two schools of thought when it comes to explaining the begging behaviour of puppies; the first (and most popular) interpretation of this common canine activity is that it is triggered by pet owners who give their young dogs food scraps in the kitchen (before or after human mealtimes), or feed them treats directly from the dinner table.
The second explanation is that your puppy is simply exhibiting an innate example of pack behaviour; in wild dog packs, an alpha will eat his food first, and then the other dogs will follow suit. If you feed your young dog before you eat, you are sending the message that your puppy is the alpha, and that he or she is in control (versus you being in control).
Whether you give your puppy “human” food before, during or after your own meals, you are definitely contributing to begging behaviour that may include whining and even aggression. To stop the whole tedious process, you must retrain your little pet by teaching him or her that begging won’t result in tasty treats.
When you make an effort to stop rewarding begging with food treats, you’ll break this vicious cycle and help your young dog to understand that begging is no longer a valid strategy. Of course, if you’ve been indulging Fido by giving in to his begging, nipping this bad puppy habit in the bud will not be an overnight process. It will take time to re-orient your pet’s thinking. The best way to speed the process along is by keeping your puppy away from the table, or from any place where humans have gathered to enjoy meals or snacks. Some pet owners choose to purchase puppy crates; these useful square containers are an important facet of effective, successful puppy training.
If you have a crate, you may elect to send your puppy there while you eat; by removing your pet from the equation during your breakfast, lunch or dinner, you will make it easier for him or her to break this annoying and exasperating habit.
Staying firm and exhibiting control is the key to eliminating or reducing puppy begging; however, you don’t need to be mean to get the results that you want…simply order Fido into his crate until you’re done eating. In time, your loyal canine friend will understand that his mealtimes are not the same as yours, and he will adjust. After this understanding has been made you can eliminate sending the puppy to his or her crate during mealtimes.
If this strategy doesn’t work out for you, consider keeping your puppy around while you eat. The best way to make this work is to give your young dog his or her puppy food and water while you’re enjoying your own meals. A dog with his or her own food will be too distracted to worry about what’s being consumed at the “people” table (and how he or she can get some!). Another benefit of this strategy is that all meal prep and clean-up for human and animal meals takes place in one streamlined block of time; feeding everyone at regular intervals is easier and faster than staggering puppy and human mealtimes.
Your puppy will need time to relax his or her stubborn reliance on begging for treats; after all, he or she is likely very strong-willed when it comes to seeking out satisfying food from owners and visitors. Positive reinforcement is a great way to let Fido know that you appreciate any improvements with regard to begging. If your puppy doesn’t beg during your mealtime, reward him or her in a “non-food” way; hugs, petting, playtime, and positive verbal reinforcements (such as, “Good dog!”) are great ways to show your puppy that you appreciate the reduction in begging behaviour.
Obviously, negative reinforcement will also play a role. Swats, grabbing, or any physical punishment is upsetting to puppies, and it may trigger even more acting out on the part of your beloved pet. Be gentle and sweet, but never let down your guard; use crating, meal schedules, and positive reinforcement to retrain Fido fast…
Human beings have to take a large chunk of responsibility for annoying begging behaviour in puppies; it’s important to understand the role your own actions have played in the development of this typical puppy activity. By cutting out your own bad habits (and never giving in to your dog’s imploring eyes, whining noises, and constant prompts to be fed outside of regular mealtimes), you will set the right example, and change the way your dog behaves. Stopping puppy begging may not be a fast or simple procedure, but it will definitely happen in time, as long as you are kind and firm.
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