09/25/2025
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭
There's nothing quite like settling down for a meal after a long day. The food is hot, the company is good... and then you feel it: the cold, wet nose nudge, the soulful eyes staring you down, or the sudden, demanding whine.
If you're a dog owner, you know this scene well. Begging for "people food" is an age-old problem, and while it might seem like a harmless quirk, it's often a direct result of our own behavior.
The quickest way we create this problem is by feeding our dogs table scraps.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞
Let's be clear about what "table scraps" really means. It's not just the tidbit you sneak under the table; it's any human food given to your dog while you are cooking, preparing, or eating. By offering these morsels, we are setting a powerful precedent: human food is available, and it's okay to try and get it.
You might be thinking, My dog deserves a treat! And we agree! Our dogs get scraps, too. The key isn't necessarily a hard-and-fast never rule (though avoiding them entirely is the safest bet for preventing begging). The key is how and when you offer them.
You want the food to be a reward, not a response to bad behavior.
𝟑 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬
If you choose to give your dog human food, you must establish clear boundaries to prevent them from turning into a four-legged food thief. These three rules are your foundation for a peaceful mealtime.
1. Never Feed a Beggar
This is the golden rule, and it's the most important. Do not feed your dog if they are actively begging.
Begging behavior can take many forms:
A persistent, intense stare while you eat.
Whining or soft demand barking.
Paw or nudge at your leg or arm.
Trying to steal food off a plate or counter.
If you give in, even just once, while they are doing any of these things, you have effectively rewarded the behavior. You've taught them: "If I whine loudly enough, I get the chicken." This guarantees they will try the same behavior (or ramp it up!) next time.
The Fix: Wait until they are quiet, lying down, or have walked away. Then, if you want to give a treat, call them over and give it to them away from the table.
2. Move the Reward Location
The dining table and the kitchen are high-value locations for food. When you feed your dog scraps at the table, you increase their expectation that food will be dispensed there. This is a direct invitation for them to hang out and wait.
The Fix: If you decide to give your dog a small piece of human food (like a piece of carrot or plain cooked meat), take it away from the table and out of the kitchen. Put it in their bowl, or give it to them while they are on their mat or in their designated "place." This disconnects the reward from your mealtime.
3. Master Two Essential Commands
Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense. Having solid obedience commands is your secret weapon against bad habits.
"Leave It": This command is crucial for moments when your dog is showing too much interest in a dropped item, a piece of food on a coffee table, or even your plate. A well-taught "Leave It" tells your dog immediately, "That food is not for you."
"Place" (or "Go to Bed"): This command gives your dog a job and a designated spot to be during mealtime/cooking. If they can reliably go to their "place" (a dog bed or mat in another room, or just a few feet away) and stay there, you can eat in peace. This also helps them practice settling down and being calm while you are busy.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲
Putting an end to begging isn't about being mean; it's about being a clear and consistent leader. By implementing these three rules, you are setting clear boundaries that teach your dog how to behave respectfully around human food, leading to a much more peaceful and enjoyable life for everyone!
What's the hardest time of day to resist your dog's begging? Let us know in the comments!
