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